October 07, 2026

South Korea denies Ukrainian report that it eased Russia's fuel crisis

The presidential office says that South Korea had "consistently enforced sanctions and export controls against Russia in close coordination with the international community"

South Korea denies Ukrainian report that it eased Russia's fuel crisis
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a joint press conference with Commissioner for sanctions policy and President's adviser Vladyslav Vlasiuk, Head of the Security Service of Ukraine Vasyl Maliuk, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha and Head of the Foreign Intelligence Service of Ukraine Oleh Ivashchenko, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine, Oct 31, 2025. REUTERS

Reuters

Published : 07 Oct 2026, 05:44 PM

Updated : 07 Oct 2026, 05:44 PM

South Korea's presidential office on Wednesday dismissed a Ukrainian report that Russia has imported petroleum products from South Korean ports, calling the accusation inappropriate.

Ukraine's top sanctions official, Vladyslav Vlasiuk, said on Tuesday the shipments had eased the impact of a fuel crisis caused by Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil refineries.

His comment followed a report by the Guardian newspaper saying that port records and ship-tracking data showed that fuel had been loaded at South Korean ports onto seven tankers, including vessels under British and EU sanctions.

The presidential office said South Korea had "consistently enforced sanctions and export controls against Russia in close coordination with the international community," since Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

It added that Seoul was examining the facts and checking for any export control issues, and would take necessary measures if any problems were confirmed.

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