(MOSCOW) – European countries have stepped up action against commercial vessels used by Russia to move oil and other goods past Western sanctions linked to the war in Ukraine. The measures target ships that fly false flags from other nations to hide their Russian connections and carry banned cargo. Many of these vessels have been intercepted in the Baltic Sea. The European Union reports it has sanctioned 671 such ships. The United Kingdom has sanctioned 621. The United States has sanctioned none since the end of the Biden presidency according to the Brookings Institution.
Russia relies on these shipments for revenue to support its military effort. Ships often come from African registries and pretend to belong to those countries while carrying Russian oil. Some also transport agricultural goods. One vessel was stopped off the Ukrainian coast by Swedish authorities while carrying illegal shipments of Ukrainian grain bound for Russia. Many of the ships are old and raise environmental concerns because of the risk of oil spills that could harm marine life and infrastructure.
New European Union rules introduced in the past month give authorities the right to seize cargo on board these vessels and sell it. Russian officials have reacted with anger. President Vladimir Putin spoke aboard a Russian warship and described the European actions as piracy and robbery. He said Russia would respond in kind. The head of Russia’s Pacific Fleet stated the same day that his forces were ready to inspect and detain foreign vessels even outside Russian waters.
Philip Turle of France 24’s international affairs desk said the European moves form part of a wider effort to stop Russia from earning money through sanctions evasion. He noted that the steps also aim to limit the use of ageing tankers that pose pollution risks in international and European waters. Turle observed that Putin appeared in naval uniform on the warship to project control and leadership at a time when Russian forces face pressure. Overnight attacks struck the Novorossiysk naval base and drones hit power infrastructure inside Russia. Turle said Putin was seeking to present a picture of stability while the situation in Ukraine remains difficult for Moscow.
European governments maintain that their actions are legal and target only vessels that break sanctions by sailing under false flags with prohibited goods. Russia continues to deny any wrongdoing and frames the seizures as unlawful interference with commercial shipping.
Be First to Comment