Russia’s shadow fleet: Quote from MEP Niinistö

Greens/EFA MEP Ville Niinistö from Finland, shadow rapporteur on the resolution on the Russian shadow fleet, comments on the resolution on EU actions against the Russian shadow fleet and ensuring a full enforcement of sanctions against Russia:

“Russia’s shadow fleet is recklessly steering towards an environmental disaster in the Baltic Sea. By using unregistered and dilapidated oil tankers to circumvent EU sanctions, Vladimir Putin is risking the consequences of an irreversible ecological calamity in European waters. Since most of these ships are uninsured, the costs of dealing with such a disaster would be left to EU countries, adding another level of hybrid warfare. At the same time, this fleet successfully contributes massive profits for Russia’s war chests funding its war against Ukraine.

“The Parliament demands stricter enforcement of sanctions and more effective tools to police Russia’s shadow fleet such as targeted inspections and demand of proper insurance from all vessels in EU waters. We are urging non-EU flag states, such as Panama, to cooperate and remove these ships from their registers. We also urge the EU and Member States to ensure preparedness in the event of an oil spill. We not only owe it to the environment, but also to our Ukrainian allies, who are still suffering daily casualties defending Europe against Russia.”