The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has announced that discussions are underway within the European Union regarding the enhancement of sanctions targeting Russia’s shadow fleet, including potential restrictions on Russian ports.
During the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Summit held in France on March 26-27, Sybiha stated that partners were considering a ban on providing maritime services to the shadow fleet’s tankers. He emphasized that the current energy market situation, exacerbated by the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, does not negate the need for this pressure tool against Moscow.
“If we are talking about tightening sanctions, they should also extend to Russian port infrastructure, particularly ports that facilitate the illegal transportation of oil by shadow fleet tankers or the export of stolen grain from Ukraine,” he remarked.
Sybiha indicated that such options are already being discussed and that this approach will inevitably be implemented in due course. He also noted that individual countries can currently make specific decisions at the national level.
However, he added that EU nations must operate within the framework of European legislation, prompting a comprehensive search for additional pressure mechanisms against Russia. “Countries are certainly acting within this legislation, and all of this needs to be viewed comprehensively, but options are being sought that will allow for the most effective use of this toolkit to increase the costs of continued aggression for Russia,” the Ukrainian diplomat concluded.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for enhanced EU sanctions against Russia's shadow fleet, focusing on port restrictions and maritime service bans. Discussions at the G7 summit reflect a coordinated effort among EU nations to apply pressure on Russia while adhering to existing legal frameworks.