Russia bans diesel fuel export

Russia has imposed a ban on diesel fuel exports to boost domestic supplies, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Wednesday, reported Xinhua.

"We have introduced a ban on diesel fuel exports, which will make it possible to ramp up supplies to the domestic market," Novak said at a cabinet meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The Russian government also announced that it has expanded the temporary diesel exports ban to fuel producers. The measure does not apply to deliveries under intergovernmental agreements.

Novak noted that Russia will begin importing petroleum products in July to stabilize the country's fuel market. "We will also start importing petroleum products in July and ramp up extra output volumes using petroleum products of a lower environmental class," he said.