Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced that he has asked the Ministry of Energy to prepare a project to ban gasoline exports from April 1, the government in Moscow informed on Friday, reports the Reuters agency, quoted by Agerpres.
Russian media say the ban will remain in place until July 31.
Turbulence in the global market for crude oil and petroleum products, caused by the war in the Middle East, leads to significant price fluctuations. At the same time, high demand for Russia's energy resources from foreign markets remains a positive factor, Novak said.
The volumes of crude oil processed remain at last year's level, ensuring a stable supply of petroleum products, the Government's press release states.
Several regions of Russia and parts of Ukraine under Russian control reported gasoline shortages last year after Ukraine stepped up attacks on Russian refineries, and amid seasonal fuel demand.
Russia has repeatedly imposed cuts on gasoline and diesel exports to control rising prices and address supply shortages.
According to industry sources, the country exported nearly five million metric tons of gasoline last year, or about 117,000 barrels per day (bpd).
