EU and 44 European Countries Endorse UK Call to Counter Russia's Shadow Fleet

At the European Political Community summit, the United Kingdom united 44 countries and the European Union to counter the activities of Russia's so-called shadow fleet.  This is stated on the website of the UK government.

‘We call on flag states to ensure that ships flying their flags meet the highest possible safety requirements,’ the joint document says.

Russia's shadowy fleet, the statement says, threatens all 44 signatory countries and others that depend on the world's seas and oceans. Therefore, the community intends to confront the risks that the shadow fleet poses to the environment, maritime security in Europe and beyond, the integrity of international maritime trade and respect for the international law of the sea.

‘I will not allow the shadow fleet of Russian oil tankers and the dirty money it generates to move freely through European waters and endanger our security. Ukraine is and always will be at the top of my government's agenda,’ Starmer wrote on his social media account X.

Russia's shadow fleet is a vessel that engages in illegal operations to circumvent European and global sanctions, evade safety or environmental regulations, avoid insurance costs, etc.

The day before, the UK imposed sanctions on 11 vessels transporting oil or oil products from Russia. Earlier in June, the country imposed sanctions on 6 tankers and Russian companies involved in the production and transportation of liquefied natural gas: ‘Murmansk LNG, Novatek Murmansk LNG, Modern Arctic Marine Transport LNG and Rusatom Arctic.