Pakistan, May 21 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has defended his government's decision to ease certain sanctions on Russian jet fuel and diesel imports, saying the move is necessary to protect consumers as global energy prices surge amid conflict in the Middle East.

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The UK government issued a trade licence allowing the import of Russian crude oil refined in third countries, including India. According to the Department for Business and Trade, the licence is of indefinite duration but will remain under periodic review.

The Labour government also introduced a temporary licence easing sanctions on liquefied natural gas originating from specific Russian facilities. The measures c...