Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said today, 13 March, that despite developments in the Middle East, the attention of European countries has not shifted away from Russia’s aggression against Ukraine and the need to deter Russia’s shadow fleet.
“In recent weeks, several European countries have taken decisive steps to deter the shadow fleet. Sweden alone has blocked the movement of two vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet in the Baltic Sea over the past week, and a shadow fleet vessel was recently stopped in the North Sea under the leadership of Belgium and France,” Tsahkna said.
“These steps demonstrate that countries are acting with increasing determination to prevent shadow fleet vessels that help fill Russia’s state coffers from operating,” the foreign minister said.
“Russia uses the shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions, finance its aggression against Ukraine and prepare for a long-term confrontation with Europe. Therefore, active measures to deter the shadow fleet are extremely important in order to deprive Russia of the means to continue its aggressive policy,” Tsahkna said.
The shadow fleet also poses a threat to critical infrastructure and the environment. Although it is most active in the Baltic Sea, the routes of these vessels extend to the Atlantic Ocean, the Mediterranean, the Black Sea and the Indian Ocean.
“The shadow fleet is therefore a global threat and deterring it requires international cooperation. During my visit to Australia this week, I also discussed ways to counter the shadow fleet in meetings, including engaging with Indo-Pacific countries to ensure that shadow fleet vessels are not allowed to sail under their flags,” Tsahkna said.
The foreign minister also said that the European Union must continue to sanction the shadow fleet vessels.
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