The EU is now increasing pressure further on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, and according to the EU’s foreign affairs chief, Kaja Kallas, the sanctions are working as intended: Russian crude oil exports have fallen to their lowest level in several months.
Following this month’s meeting of the EU’s Foreign Affairs Council, Kallas stated that the EU is working on new measures, including pre-agreements with flag states, which will enable the inspection of shadow tankers before they enter port. According to her, there have been extensive diplomatic discussions about expanding access to inspect the vessels that are circumventing the sanctions.
EU countries like France and Estonia have already taken action against tankers suspected of sailing without a valid flag or insurance, and the EU now has over 550 ships on its sanctions list. The goal is to hit Russia’s oil revenues faster and more effectively.
“The export of Russian crude oil is the lowest it has been in months. Russian oil revenues are the lowest since the start of the war,” Kaja Kallas was quoted as saying after the Foreign Affairs Council meeting, according to Maritime Executive.
The EU is also working to strengthen surveillance in the Baltic Sea and protect critical infrastructure, while the debate about a new American peace plan has begun to unfold.
-emte
