On October 8, 2026, South Korea officially denied reports of fuel supplies to Russia despite its own sanctions. The spokesperson for the presidential administration, Kan Yu Jeong, urged Ukraine to refrain from statements that could harm international trust in the country.
Official Position of South Korea
The South Korean government stated that official statistics do not record the export of diesel, gasoline, or aviation fuel to Russia from August 2025 to August 2026. Meanwhile, officials in Seoul noted that they are conducting a review of the information and are prepared to take action in case of violations.
Ukraine's Statements and International Reaction
Previously, the Ukrainian president's representative for sanctions policy, Vlasuk, stated that supplies from South Korea had mitigated the effects of the fuel crisis in Russia. This came after a report by The Guardian, which mentioned over 176,000 tons of petroleum products supplied from South Korea to Russia in July-August 2026.
Actions of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry
The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the existence of its own data regarding such supplies and reached out to Seoul for clarification. This indicates that the issue of fuel supplies remains a focal point for the Ukrainian government, which seeks clear answers from its international partners.