Vladimir Putin is emerging as an unlikely saviour of UK oil and gas as tension between Russia and Ukraine heightens worries over fuel imports and leads to further calls for ministers to encourage drilling in the North Sea.
Russia is the largest provider of diesel to the UK — about 3.6 million tonnes were imported in 2020 — but Putin, the Russian president, is likely to cut off supplies in retaliation for the tough sanctions threatened by Boris Johnson if Ukraine is invaded. Diesel is essential for motor vehicles, trains, construction and the military.
Separately, Offshore Energies UK (OeUK), the trade body, has warned that domestic production of oil and gas will decline sharply over the next five years, which will increase Britain’s dependence on
