EU diplomacy chief comments on moves against Russian tankers
Photo: Kaja Kallas (Getty Images)
Several EU member states are physically intercepting tankers belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet without violating international law, says Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"We have done the best practices of treating the shadow fleet under international law. So, UNCLOS Article 110 actually gives the right to board these ships. So we have also shared the best practices with the member states," Kallas notes.
According to her, some countries have already taken certain steps in this direction. For instance, Sweden, Belgium, and France have actually boarded ships.
"And considering that these are also environmental risks, we have to take them very, very carefully, so that we use the measures under the law that are the tools that we can use," she adds.
Combating Russia's shadow fleet
Recently, at least eight sanctioned oil tankers sailed through the English Channel despite the British government’s announcement of a crackdown on the shadow fleet.
The Defense Intelligence of Ukraine (HUR) reported on over 50 Russian vessels that are helping Russia export oil and other energy resources.
A new package of sanctions against Russia, currently being prepared by the EU, is intended to block the Russian shadow fleet, which allows Moscow to generate revenue from oil.
In addition, Ukraine’s Foreign Intelligence Service has stated that the Kremlin plans to increase the number of oil tankers sailing under the Russian flag.
