Russia is preparing to temporarily suspend all gasoline exports as of April 1, 2026, according to multiple reports. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak has directed the Ministry of Energy to draft a resolution banning all gasoline exports. The gasoline export suspension aims to stabilize domestic prices and ensure sufficient supply for the local market, multiple reports indicate.
The decision takes effect immediately and covers all gasoline producers, with some exemptions including deliveries to countries within the Eurasian Economic Union and previously agreed state deliveries, according to major media. The Russian government emphasizes that the gasoline export suspension measure is temporary but necessary to stabilize the market. Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil facilities have contributed to domestic gasoline price increases and the decision to suspend exports, multiple reports indicate.
Ukrainian forces struck the Yaroslavl Oil Refinery in Yaroslavl City, Yaroslavl Oblast, overnight on March 27 to 28, 2026, starting a fire, according to major media. The Yaroslavl Oil Refinery has an annual refining capacity of about 15 million tons of petroleum products and refines gasoline, diesel fuel, and jet fuel critical to Russian military logistics, major media reports. Gasoline prices in Russia have risen sharply since autumn 2025, according to major media.
The reduced capacity means Russia must prioritize the supply of gasoline domestically, major media reports. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly requested that Russia's top businessmen provide funding for the Russian government, according to the Institute for the Study of War. Putin held a closed meeting with senior business figures on March 26, 2026, reportedly asking for continued support of Russia's war in Ukraine, The Bell reports.
Now other markets are opening up. And perhaps it is more advantageous for us to stop supplies to the European market immediately now.
The idea for businessmen to fund the government came from Igor Sechin, the chief of Rosneft, who also proposed issuing military bonds, according to The Bell. Billionaire Suleiman Kerimov reportedly pledged 100 billion rubles, while other businessmen offered unspecified amounts, major media reports. Russia is considering suspending natural gas exports to Europe.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia might stop gas supplies to Europe now, ahead of planned EU sanctions. Putin has instructed the government and companies to examine the step of suspending gas exports to Europe, according to major media. Putin claimed there is no political background for his considerations; it is about business.
Russia has diversified its gas supplies significantly due to EU sanctions, especially expanding to China, major media reports. Sales of Russian natural gas to Europe have dropped sharply since 2022 due to sanctions related to the war in Ukraine, other sources report. Russia is the second largest supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG) to the European Union, other sources report.
Russia also sells natural gas via the Black Sea subsea pipeline TurkStream to countries including Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia, other sources report. Russia still supplies gas to the EU despite sanctions. Novak said that Russian natural gas now covers over 12% of Europe's supplies.
It is better to stop now ourselves and go to the countries that are reliable partners, and establish ourselves there.
The European Union aims to be completely independent of Russian natural gas by the end of 2027 at the latest and stop all imports, major media reports. 6 billion euros), according to major media. Authorities aim to stabilize fuel prices and ensure supply ahead of the spring sowing season, when demand for fuel increases sharply, major media reports.
The measure is also intended to alleviate economic pressure on households and industry, according to major media. Export restrictions are not a new strategy for Russia; similar measures have been taken during periods of high prices or imbalances in supply and demand, major media reports. Novak said they will meet soon, according to the President's instructions, to discuss the current situation with energy companies and possible routes for their own energy supplies.
It remains unclear whether Russia has officially decided to suspend natural gas exports to Europe or is only considering it. The exact amount of funding pledged or provided by Russian businessmen to the government, beyond Suleiman Kerimov's reported 100 billion rubles, is not confirmed. The full list of exemptions to the gasoline export suspension, beyond deliveries to Eurasian Economic Union countries and previously agreed state deliveries, is also unknown.
The specific impact of Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil facilities on domestic gasoline supply and prices, beyond general contributions to the export stop decision, is not fully detailed. How the potential suspension of natural gas exports to Europe would affect specific countries like Hungary, Slovakia, and Serbia, which are mentioned as loyal customers, remains uncertain. Putin emphasized that Russia wants to remain a reliable supplier in Europe, especially for loyal customers like Hungary and Slovakia, according to major media.