Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday called on European countries to introduce legislation to block Russian “shadow fleet” vessels from operating in their waters and to seize associated oil cargoes.
Speaking via video link to leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) meeting in Helsinki, Zelensky stressed the need for coordinated legal frameworks across Europe to restrict sanctioned Russian tankers and limit Moscow’s ability to exert economic pressure.
He urged member states to accelerate the adoption and implementation of such measures domestically, describing them as a critical tool in countering Russia’s influence.
Zelensky also commended recent enforcement actions by Denmark, Sweden, and France, noting that the seizure of suspected shadow fleet vessels demonstrates the effectiveness of stricter compliance measures.
Russia’s shadow fleet comprises largely ageing vessels with opaque ownership structures, often operating without adequate insurance and used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Recent actions include the seizure of a third tanker by the French navy in the Mediterranean and the detention of the Sea Owl I by Swedish authorities, who also arrested its captain over alleged document falsification and regulatory violations.
Meanwhile, the United Kingdom has announced new powers allowing its military to board and seize sanctioned vessels entering its territorial waters.
The European Union has sanctioned approximately 598 vessels suspected of being part of Russia’s shadow fleet, as efforts intensify to tighten restrictions on the country’s oil exports.
