On November 25, British Foreign Secretary David Lammy announced that the UK is imposing the largest sanctions ever on Russia’s shadow fleet to suppress Russian oil revenue. He urged the Group of Seven (G7) allies to support Ukraine and provide equipment whenever Ukraine needs it.
Before the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Italy, Lammy stated that he is confident Kyiv will receive “funding and military equipment to get through 2025.”
He also said that the UK’s assessment is that Russian President Putin “has shown no sign of wanting to negotiate” to end the war with Ukraine.
Britain and other Western countries aim to ensure that Ukraine can defend itself strongly this winter.
Lammy told reporters that the UK’s latest round of measures against Moscow targets the “largest” sanctions plan on Russia’s shadow fleet, adding 30 vessels.
Oil revenue is a crucial source of funds for the Kremlin in the illegal war in Ukraine. Western countries have stated that the Russian government uses shadow fleet to transport oil, attempting to circumvent Western restrictions on Russian oil.
Lammy said, “We are determined to ensure that these vessels and their supporters that are obstructing EU and UK (sanctions against Russia) suffer losses at this time.”
When announcing the details of the sanctions, the UK government stated that the sanctioned vessels have transported oil and oil products worth billions of pounds over the past year, and the new measures will bring the total number of tankers sanctioned by the UK to 73.
A total of 46 countries and the European Union have signed on to the UK-led call to action against the shadow fleet.
The UK government’s statement also mentioned that the shadow fleet poses significant risks to global trade. Many vessels engage in deceptive shipping practices and pose threats to the environment. Several tankers blatantly disregard basic safety standards, increasing the likelihood of catastrophic oil spills.
The UK also stated that limiting the income obtained through the shadow fleet, including targeting the insurance companies that insure these vessels, is crucial for maintaining security.
Therefore, the UK announced sanctions on two Russian insurance companies, AlfaStrakhovanie and VSK, and will continue to question their insurance qualifications as these vessels pass through UK waters.
The UK government also indicated that previous sanctions on 43 shadow fleet vessels have been effective, as two vessels have been stranded in the Baltic Sea since last month when they were sanctioned, seemingly unable to conduct business.
(This article referenced reports from Reuters)