Today the UK has announced a ban on Russian maritime services related to shipping of fossil fuel exports, which help contribute to Russia’s war chest.
Ukrainian campaign group Razom We Stand welcomes the move, yet raises fears of the UK “slow walking” the phase out of these services, and calls for the immediate suspension of UK government contracts with TotalEnergies, a firm also collaborating with Russia, helping raise money for the Kremlin.
TotalEnergies, the French energy major, continues to hold a 20% stake in the Yamal LNG project and imported 1.5 million tonnes of LNG via French ports in Q2 2025 alone.
Investigations revealed that gas from TotalEnergies continues to supply UK government buildings, including 10 Downing Street.
Dr Svitlana Romanko, Founder and Executive Director of Razom We Stand, told LondonLovesBusiness.com, “As missiles and drones continue to devastate Ukraine daily, the UK government’s move to impose a maritime services ban on Russian LNG is a long-overdue and welcome step.
“Quickly cutting off UK maritime support for Russian LNG exports will choke the revenues fuelling Putin’s brutal war machine—revenues that have sustained atrocities from the start. After over three years of tireless advocacy, we applaud this decisive action, which ends maritime collaboration that has funnelled billions into Russia’s war chest.
However, we also call for further action:
The UK’s government must not “slow-walk” the planned phase-out. Prime Minister Starmer must immediately cancel the indefensible energy contract with TotalEnergies, a firm still collaborating with Russia, helping raise billions for their war machine. Only with rapid, bold steps like these can we move closer to a just peace in Ukraine.”
Razom We Stand urges the UK government to quickly align with and expedite G7 and EU-wide sanctions and take strong measures, including secondary sanctions against Russian LNG exports and its shadow fleet ships.
