French President Emmanuel Macron urged Europe to take coordinated action against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” and to follow France’s example in preventing ships used to evade Western sanctions.
France is currently investigating a vessel registered in Benin, suspected of being part of hundreds of old tankers listed under EU sanctions for helping Moscow bypass oil export restrictions following the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
“It is extremely important to increase pressure on this ‘shadow fleet’ because it would clearly reduce the financial capacity for this war,” Macron said before assembled leaders in Denmark.
The French leader suggested that European states in the “coalition of the willing” supporting Kyiv should coordinate with NATO “for joint action” regarding this matter.
French authorities have arrested two crew members of the Boracay vessel off France’s western coast, launching an investigation into “the crew’s failure to justify the ship’s nationality and refusal to cooperate.”
Ship-tracking data shows the tanker was near the Danish coast last month, coinciding with mysterious drone flights that raised security concerns and forced Danish authorities to close airports.
While media outlets have linked France’s actions to the drone flights, Paris has not confirmed the connection.
Macron stressed that, beyond ensuring compliance with international rules, such measures are “very important” to increase pressure on Moscow, targeting revenues used for the war in Ukraine and pushing Russia toward negotiation.
The “shadow fleet,” believed to include up to 1,000 ships, represents “tens of billions of euros of Russia’s budget” and accounts for “40 percent of its military effort,” the French leader said.
