The recommendation, detailed in a late May letter, also calls for the immediate removal of third-party resellers to streamline distribution. President Putin has directed Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak to evaluate the feasibility of these measures, which come as Russia grapples with acute shortages that have forced authorities in occupied Crimea to restrict fuel access to government agencies alone.

Domestic production has struggled to keep pace with demand since May, as consistent strikes on refineries and supply routes disrupt output. In response to the volatility, the federal government has already lowered environmental standards for gasoline and diesel while extending a ban on jet fuel exports through late 2026. Officials are now weighing a total prohibition on diesel exports to prioritize home consumption, a shift reflecting the deepening impact of energy infrastructure damage on Russia’s broader economic stability.