With sanctions in place, the government has a window to implement steps that could substantially lower the cost of gasoline and other petroleum products. This viewpoint was shared by Sergei Mironov, who leads the State Duma faction Fair Russia – For Truth. He argues that sanctioned conditions create a moment where policy choices can directly influence domestic prices and ease the burden on Russian households and businesses alike.
Data from Rosstat shows that the average selling price of petrol in Russia slipped by 0.2% in April compared with March, continuing a decline that has persisted for a second consecutive month. Yet Mironov maintains that the slide remains too gradual and that more aggressive measures are needed to drive a meaningful reduction in fuel costs for consumers and industry players.
Mironov pointed out that sanctions have contributed to a sharp drop in hydrocarbon exports, while fuel stockpiles have grown and a larger portion of supply is circulating within the domestic market. This dynamic has been accompanied by a downward pressure on wholesale prices, creating a potential pathway for lower consumer prices if leveraged correctly.
He observed that independent gas stations have been quicker to respond to price movements, making petrol cheaper, whereas larger corporations have shown relatively stable price tags. The tendency in the market, he suggested, is for the rest of the players to follow the pricing cues set by the major players. If the current pattern persists, price changes at the pump could occur very slowly, almost imperceptibly, as if measured in a few drops per hour.
The commissioner outlined several policy options aimed at reshaping the price setting landscape. One proposal involves increasing the government’s influence over pricing decisions by boosting the share of petroleum products sold on the stock exchange. A surplus of goods on the open market would typically exert downward pressure on prices, lowering costs for buyers. However, this approach is viewed unfavorably by large companies that benefit from today’s market dynamics. Critics argue that artificial restrictions on stock turnover enable a few dominant players to dictate terms and lock in profits that surpass typical market levels.
If the market structure changes and the stock market turnover is loosened, it could translate into a lower price ceiling for a liter of AI-92 and related petroleum products, potentially bringing prices down across the board. Mironov emphasizes that restoring a more competitive framework would not only help ordinary motorists but also support the broader economy by reducing input costs for businesses and easing inflationary pressures that rely on energy prices. Markedly, these ideas reflect a broader policy ambition: to align domestic pricing with more transparent, market-driven mechanisms while balancing public welfare with industry sustainability.