Russia Condemns EU Authorization to Inspect 'Shadow Fleet' Oil Tankers in Mediterranean
Russia's Foreign Ministry condemned an EU decision to expand Operation IRINI's mandate to allow inspection and seizure of foreign vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in the Mediterranean. The EU expanded the naval mission's authority on Monday to enforce sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet operations. Russia claims the inspections would violate international law and has threatened to use political and legal measures to protect the vessels.
Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova issued a formal condemnation of the EU's decision to authorize its Operation IRINI naval mission to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of a 'shadow fleet' transporting Russian oil. The EU expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI, originally established to enforce a UN arms embargo on Libya, to target vessels circumventing Russian oil sanctions. Zakharova characterized the term 'shadow fleet' as a 'political fabrication' and argued that the inspections would constitute a flagrant violation of international law and pose a threat to maritime security. She accused the EU of intimidating civilian vessels and stated that Russia reserves the right to employ the full range of political, legal, and other instruments to protect maritime security and the interests of shippers and shipowners.
What's missing
The articles do not provide details on what specific legal mechanisms or enforcement actions Russia might pursue in response, nor do they include the EU's rationale for the expanded mandate or how the inspections would be conducted in practice.
What different sources said
- The Straits TimesCenter
Russia condemns EU plan for warships to stop 'shadow fleet' vessels in Mediterranean
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