Another tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet stopped in the Mediterranean Sea
Фото: Reuters
The European Union is stepping up the fight against the Russian shadow fleet, which Russia uses to sell oil to circumvent sanctions. Another suspicious tanker was inspected in the Mediterranean Sea.
This was announced by the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaia Kallas.
On August 30, members of the EU naval operation IRINI boarded the oil tanker MV SUN in the Mediterranean Sea. The vessel was suspected of flying a foreign flag in violation of international maritime law.
According to Kallas, this is the sixth vessel linked to the Russian shadow fleet that has been stopped by EU naval operations forces in recent months.
Further steps against the Russian shadow fleet will be discussed by the defense ministers of the European Union countries during a meeting in Ireland on Tuesday.
Kallas stressed that the sale of Russian oil through such vessels brings Moscow money to continue its war against Ukraine. Therefore, the EU plans to continue blocking Russia’s ability to receive these revenues.
It was previously reported that the EU is stepping up the fight against the Russian “shadow fleet” that Moscow uses to circumvent sanctions. European naval missions have begun to inspect suspicious vessels directly at sea.
In addition,Russia continues to expand its shadow fleet for transporting liquefied natural gas, which is under US sanctions. Four more tankers previously owned by Oman have been involved in the transportation.