Zelensky calls on Europe to seize Russian oil and block tankers
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged European nations to take stronger action against Russia’s “shadow fleet” of oil tankers. In a video message to the Joint Expeditionary Force meeting in Helsinki, he called for laws to block Russian ships and confiscate their oil. Zelensky praised Denmark, Sweden, and France for seizing vessels linked to the shadow fleet. He emphasized that coordinated European efforts are needed to counter Russia’s attempts to bypass sanctions.
What we know
- Volodymyr Zelensky urged European countries to pass laws blocking Russian tankers and confiscating Russian oil.
- The “shadow fleet” refers to ships used by Russia to evade Western sanctions since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
- Denmark, Sweden, and France recently seized ships suspected of being part of the shadow fleet.
- The French navy seized a third shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean last week, and Swedish authorities seized the Sea Owl I tanker in mid-March.
- The British government announced its military can now board and seize sanctioned ships if they enter UK waters, with 598 ships under EU sanctions.
