Ukraine renews ban on sales of Euro-3 and Euro-4 fuel

MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Ukraine's government during a meeting on Tuesday decided to renew the ban on the sale of fuel of Euro-3 and Euro-4 environmental standards, Ukrainian media reported, citing a message that Taras Melnichuk, the government's representative in the Verkhovna Rada, posted on social media.

"The technical regulations have been amended regarding the requirements for motor gasoline, diesel, and marine and boiler fuel, particularly in terms of restoring the validity of fuel quality requirements at a level not lower than Euro-5, and implementing the provisions of the European Union's legislative acts," Melnichuk said.

Melnichuk said that this involves banning the sale of leaded gasoline and establishing requirements for fuel used by road vehicles and non-road mobile equipment, including inland navigation vessels, agricultural machinery, forestry tractors, and recreational vessels.

As noted in the draft resolution on amendments to the technical regulations posted on the website of Ukraine's Energy Ministry, it comes into force from the moment of publication.

The explanatory note to the draft indicates that the Cabinet of Ministers in May 2022 allowed the temporary introduction into circulation of motor gasoline and diesel fuel of the Euro-3 and Euro-4 classes. The Energy Ministry recalled that this was owing to the critical situation with fuel supplies that arose owing to the destruction of oil depots, and refineries and gas processing plants, as well as the blocking of traditional routes for the supply of petroleum products.

The ministry notes that the situation in the fuel market is stable today, new routes for the supply of petroleum products have been established, and market participants have concluded long-term contracts with European manufacturers and international traders; and "the needs of the state economy, defense forces and other consumers are satisfied with fuel of appropriate quality and at the required volume."