EU sanctions against Russia’s tanker fleet are not enough, – European Parliament

The European Parliament believes that the sanctions against Russia are not working properly: the number of tankers has doubled over the last year.

This opinion was shared by the member of the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the European Parliament, Sandra Kalniete, writes Ukrinform. According to her, 70% of the oil transported by Russian tankers adds 12 billion dollars to Putin’s war budget.

“EU members should put more pressure on the global promoters of Putin’s war, on states and companies that accumulate wealth as intermediaries. Without significantly reducing the Kremlin’s ability to continue the war, we are postponing the Ukrainian victory,” Kalniete said.

Kalnietie noted that the Russian fleet that transports oil currently has approximately 600 tankers.

“The shadow fleet has doubled this year, these tankers are uninsured and dangerously worn. The average age of the ships is 20 years, in fact they are environmental time bombs that threaten the world sea with oil spills,” the deputy added.

The member of the European People’s Party insists that Russia’s shadow fleet is a direct hybrid threat to Latvia and other Baltic states, and sanctions against the owners of these vessels, which are constantly changing, are not effective.

According to Kalniyeti, currently the European Union has imposed sanctions on 27 ships, but hundreds of Russian ships need the same restrictions.

USM previously reported that Russia will organize transshipment of LNG in the Barents and Bering Seas due to sanctions.