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Britain issues sanctions exemption for Rosneft's German subsidiaries

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on October 22, 2025

1 min read

· Last updated: January 21, 2026

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Britain issues sanctions exemption for Rosneft's German subsidiaries
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LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday issued a special licence allowing businesses to work with two German subsidiaries of sanctioned Russian oil giant Rosneft, as they are under German state control

UK Grants Sanctions Exemption for Rosneft's German Subsidiaries

LONDON (Reuters) -Britain on Wednesday issued a special licence allowing businesses to work with two German subsidiaries of sanctioned Russian oil giant Rosneft, as they are under German state control.

Last week Britain announced fresh sanctions against Rosneft and Lukoil, Russia's two largest oil firms, accusing them of helping fund the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine.

On Wednesday, Britain said it was permitting firms and banks to continue working with Rosneft Deutschland GmbH and RN Refining & Marketing GmbH, which are under German state control until March next year.

Berlin took over the refineries to safeguard energy supplies after Russia's invasion through a legal arrangement called a "trusteeship," which has to be renewed every six months.

Germany first imposed the trusteeship in September 2022, shortly after Russia's full-scale invasion.

The trusteeship allows the German government to manage Rosneft's stakes in key refineries - including PCK Schwedt, MiRo and Bayernoil.

(Reporting by Sam Tabahriti in London, additional reporting by Vera Eckert in Frankfurt; Editing by Kate Holton)

Key Takeaways

  • UK issues a special licence for Rosneft's German subsidiaries.
  • The subsidiaries are under German state control.
  • Sanctions against Rosneft were announced last week.
  • The exemption is valid until March next year.
  • Germany manages Rosneft's stakes in key refineries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rosneft?
Rosneft is a Russian multinational oil and gas company, known as one of the largest producers of oil in the world. It plays a significant role in the global energy market.
What is a subsidiary?
A subsidiary is a company that is completely or partially owned and wholly controlled by another company, known as the parent company. Subsidiaries operate independently but are subject to the parent company's control.
What is energy supply?
Energy supply refers to the provision of energy resources, such as oil, gas, and electricity, to consumers and businesses. It is crucial for economic stability and growth.

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