The European Union (EU) plans to impose restrictions on 120 vessels allegedly linked to Russian energy transportation as part of its 19th package of sanctions. According to reports, this measure would increase the total number of sanctioned vessels to 568. The EU is also preparing legal frameworks to detain up to 16 “suspicious” oil tankers without a flag if they enter the Baltic Sea in the future.
European diplomacy head Kaya Kallas urged EU nations to enforce secondary sanctions against Russian oil supplies, mirroring U.S. restrictions. On September 30, the French Navy detained the Benin-flagged tanker Boracay for allegedly transporting Russian oil while evading sanctions. The vessel’s crew faced scrutiny over failing to prove its nationality and complying with orders.
Russian President Vladimir Putin criticized the incident, accusing France of diverting attention from domestic issues. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron proposed detaining tankers at sea to disrupt alleged Russian oil shipments.
EU Targets 120 More Vessels in Escalating Sanctions Against Russia
