The Russian president Vladimir Putin on Wednesday gave a stern mandate to his government to ensure stable retail fuel prices, eyeing additional measures to balance the domestic market after imposing a ban on petrol and diesel exports.

Putin also said that “the government must act immediately and that revising taxes on the oil industry is an option.”

“Measures were taken, but prices are going up… The consumer needs a result,” explained the Russian president. “I asked you to react to the events more immediately.”

The government on Thursday introduced a temporary ban on gasoline and diesel exports to all but a circle of four former Soviet republics to prevent a rise in domestic fuel prices.

While prices initially fell in the domestic commodity market, began to rise and again when an easing of restrictions was announced over the weekend.

Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak told Putin that the government was looking forward to additional measures.

He said there were proposals to curb gray fuel exports and raise the fuel export tax to 50,000 rubles ($518.24) a tonne from 20,000 rubles for resellers.

The government is reconsidering cutting so-called depreciation payments, or refinery subsidies, that began this month, Novak said.

Russia has been experiencing shortages of gasoline and diesel fuel in recent months. Wholesale fuel prices rose, even as retail prices were cut in an attempt to bring them in line with the official rate of inflation.

Shortages have been particularly painful in some parts of southern Russia, where fuel is vital for harvesting crops. A serious crisis could be unpleasant for the Kremlin as presidential elections approach in March.