Officials from Russia’s Federal Anti-Monopoly Service (FAS) have urged major oil companies and independent gas stations to lower fuel prices, aiming to align them with an economically justified level for the domestic market. This stance was reiterated as part of ongoing oversight to ensure sufficient fuel reserves for consumers, including agricultural producers. The FAS emphasized that recent steps have contributed to reduced prices across motor fuel segments, enabling purchases for future use at favorable rates. Yet officials cautioned that price regulation should not overly restrain the market, noting that investors must still fund maintenance, expansion, and full-capacity operation of facilities. The agency also stressed that oil refinery volumes should not be curtailed by regulatory actions, and current checks are focused on the mid wholesale segment with violations being recorded and investigated. In parallel, the FAS is developing proposals to regulate the fuel sector using programs previously applied to fertilizer export controls, to improve market stability. [citation: FAS briefing]
