THE UK GOVERNMENT has urged its international partners to maintain pressure on Russia after the United States eased sanctions on some shipments of Russian oil already moving through global markets.

Downing Street said Britain would not follow the US move and insisted sanctions remain a key tool in limiting Moscow’s ability to fund its war in Ukraine.

The US Treasury confirmed that certain cargoes of Russian oil already in transit would be allowed to continue to their destinations. Officials described the step as a “targeted, short-term measure” designed to help stabilise global energy markets during rising geopolitical tensions.

The announcement comes as oil prices surge amid escalating conflict in the Middle East. Iran has threatened further disruption to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — one of the world’s most important oil transport routes — following ongoing US-Israeli strikes in the region.

Attacks on energy infrastructure in Gulf states have also contributed to uncertainty in global supply.

A spokesman for Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the UK’s position remains firm.

“All partners should maintain pressure on Russia and its war chest,” the spokesman said.

“Our support for Ukraine is degrading Russia’s ability to wage war, both militarily and financially.”

Energy Minister Michael Shanks also stressed that sanctions remain critical to weakening Russia’s ability to sustain the conflict.

“This is an absolutely critical moment in the Russian aggression against Ukraine and sanctions are important,” he said.

“What we cannot have is Putin sitting in the Kremlin thinking this is an opportunity to invest more in the war machine.”

European leaders have also expressed concern about any relaxation of sanctions. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said easing restrictions now would be “wrong”, while French President Emmanuel Macron warned tensions in the Middle East should not become a reason to soften measures against Russia.

Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky previously warned that easing sanctions would be a “serious blow” to Ukraine and could allow Russia to strengthen its military capabilities.

Milford Haven connection

The issue carries particular significance in Pembrokeshire because of the role the Port of Milford Haven plays in the UK’s energy infrastructure.

In the early days following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, vessels carrying Russian fuel became the focus of controversy across Europe.

One tanker transporting Russian diesel that had been expected to unload in Milford Haven was later diverted to Antwerp amid political pressure and uncertainty over sanctions.

Another vessel carrying Russian crude did berth in the Milford Haven Waterway and unload at the Valero refinery terminal before the UK introduced a full ban on Russian oil imports later that year.

Across the UK, some energy workers refused to handle Russian cargoes during the early stages of the conflict, forcing certain tankers to divert to other European ports.

Large oil tankers arriving in Milford Haven berth at deep-water terminals and refinery jetties along the waterway rather than traditional docks, allowing the port to handle some of the largest vessels operating in European waters.

The waterway remains one of the UK’s most important energy hubs, handling crude oil, refined fuel products and liquefied natural gas imports.

Impact on fuel prices

The rising price of oil is already feeding through to motorists and households, with petrol prices climbing and heating oil costs increasing in recent weeks.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband warned that regulators would intervene if energy companies attempt to exploit the situation by raising prices excessively.

“We will not tolerate rip-offs,” he said, adding that the competition watchdog is ready to act if necessary.

Opposition parties have meanwhile called on the government to cancel a planned increase in fuel duty scheduled for September if the crisis continues.

With tensions rising both in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, ministers say global energy markets could remain volatile for some time — with potential consequences for fuel costs and supply security across the UK.

MINISTERS say reforms will cut costs and strengthen energy security, but critics warn projects remain expensive and slow to build

The UK government has announced a major overhaul of the country’s nuclear planning and regulatory system aimed at speeding up the construction of new reactors, reducing costs and strengthening national energy security.

The reforms follow an independent review led by John Fingleton, which concluded that the current regulatory framework is overly complex and bureaucratic, slowing the delivery of nuclear infrastructure.

Ministers say the changes will simplify regulation while maintaining safety and environmental protections, with all recommendations expected to be implemented by the end of 2027.

The government argues that expanding nuclear energy will help reduce Britain’s dependence on volatile fossil fuel markets and support the transition to low-carbon electricity.

Energy Secretary Ed Miliband said: “The current conflict in the Middle East shows why we must move further and faster to build the clean energy system our country needs.

“A crucial part of this is ensuring that we speed up the building of infrastructure in a way that reduces costs while delivering better outcomes for nature.”

Chancellor Rachel Reeves said nuclear energy would play an important role in strengthening the UK’s economic resilience.

“To build national resilience, drive energy security and deliver economic growth, we need nuclear,” she said.

The government has already approved major nuclear projects including Sizewell C in Suffolk and the ongoing construction of Hinkley Point C in Somerset. Ministers are also backing plans for small modular reactors, with the first expected to be built at the former Wylfa nuclear site on Anglesey in North Wales.

Alongside the regulatory reforms, the government confirmed £65.6 million of funding for seven nuclear research programmes at universities across the UK.

Institutions involved include Bangor University and Swansea University, with the funding delivered through UK Research and Innovation and matched by industry partners.

The programme will also fund more than 500 doctoral students over four years to train the next generation of nuclear scientists and engineers.

Research areas will include advanced reactor technologies, nuclear waste disposal, innovative fuels and materials, and technologies linked to national security.

However, environmental campaigners remain sceptical about the expansion of nuclear power.

Groups including Greenpeace UK have previously warned that nuclear plants are expensive and take many years to build, arguing that investment should instead focus on renewable energy such as wind and solar.

Large nuclear projects in the UK have also faced significant delays and rising costs. Hinkley Point C, currently under construction in Somerset, has seen its estimated completion date pushed back several times while projected costs have increased substantially.

Supporters of nuclear power argue that it provides a reliable source of low-carbon electricity that can operate regardless of weather conditions, helping to stabilise the energy system as more renewable power comes online.

The government says the wider nuclear sector could support around 65,000 jobs by 2030, including roles linked to the UK’s defence nuclear programme and the construction of new Dreadnought-class submarines.

The reforms are intended to make it easier to deliver both civil and defence nuclear projects while maintaining safety standards and environmental protections.

THE FINAL stage of removing decades old agricultural planning condition ties to a Pembrokeshire property has been given the go-ahead by Pembrokeshire planners.

Back in December, Tim and Cathy Arthur were granted permission for the removal of an agricultural worker-only condition at New Creamson, Creamston Road, near Haverfordwest by members of Pembrokeshire County Council’s planning committee.

An officer report for members said the agricultural condition was imposed when the dwelling was built in 1988/89, with a recent certificate of lawful development granted after it was proven the site had been occupied for more than 10 years on breach of that condition.

An application for a certificate of lawfulness allows an applicant to stay at a development if they can provide proof of occupancy over a prolonged period.

Speaking at that meeting, agent Andrew Vaughan-Harries of Hayston Developments & Planning Ltd told members the original agriculture worker-only condition was a poor decision by planners back nearly four decades ago for a 50-acre farm that “should never have been approved as it shouldn’t have been viable”.

Since that approval, an application by Mr Arthur before the March committee sought removal of a Section 106 legal agreement, entered into back in 1994, tying New Creamson to the agricultural land along with an agricultural worker condition.

A report for members recommending approval added: “The applicant wishes to separate the land from the dwelling as the dwelling can lawfully be occupied not in connection with agriculture,” recommending that S106 agreement be removed.

Speaking at the March meeting, Mr Vaughan-Harries, who said his clients were not farming the land at all, described the latest application as “just tidying up the paperwork”.

“If you release this today it allows the useful farmland to be released to other agricultural uses.”

Approval was moved by Cllr Mark Carter and unanimously supported by committee members.