28 Jun (Reuters) – Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged on Sunday that fuel supply problems had caused shortages in some Russian regions and said a task force was working to ensure that sufficient quantities were supplied across the country.
Putin, speaking at a meeting of senior officials on fuel supply and distribution, said Russia needed to minimize the effects of Ukrainian drone strikes on oil installations, which were linked to shortages.
He called for measures to guarantee supplies to the agricultural sector and said a ban on diesel exports was being considered.
“You know very well that problems for drivers and companies persist,” Putin said at the meeting, according to reports published by Russian news agencies. “Unfortunately, there are still queues at gas stations too.”
He added: “We must minimize the impact of terrorist attacks on our civilian targets and our infrastructure.”
Ukraine has intensified medium- and long-range attacks against industrial targets in Russia and Russian-controlled territories within Ukraine, focusing primarily on the oil sector.
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Putin said that gasoline reserves were being used and now totaled 1.7 million tons, and that production levels in July were expected to exceed those recorded in June. He stated that a ban on diesel exports, under discussion for some time, was being considered.
“The need to introduce a total ban on diesel exports is being considered,” he told participants.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak had previously stated that there was no need for Russia to ban diesel exports, Interfax news agency reported.
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A task force on fuel supplies was working around the clock, Putin said, adding that the situation required “systemic measures that correspond to the magnitude of current challenges” to increase supply and keep prices at a reasonable level.
(Reporting from Reuters)
