Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European Union countries to update their legislative framework to enable the confiscation of tankers that are part of the so-called “shadow fleet” of the Russian Federation.
This is reported by Finway
Proposal to Strengthen Sanctions Policy
In his address, Zelensky emphasized the need to improve mechanisms for responding to attempts by the Russian Federation to circumvent international sanctions. He noted that EU countries must be more decisive in combating the illegal transportation of Russian oil, which is carried out using vessels with forged documents and under false flags.
Decisive Action by Belgium and International Experience
The President highlighted Belgium’s recent step in deciding to detain one of the tankers involved in the illegal transport of Russian oil. This vessel had long been under sanctions from the United States, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, yet it continued its illegal activities.
“Belgium made a decisive decision last night to seize a tanker from Russia’s shadow fleet. This vessel had long been under sanctions from the U.S., the EU, and the UK, yet it continued to illegally transport Russian oil under a false flag and with forged documents,” Zelensky wrote.
Zelensky stressed that similar measures should become systematic for all EU countries to effectively block routes for circumventing sanctions and to prevent illegal supplies of Russian energy resources to the global market.