US targets Russian 'shadow fleet' with new Baltic sanctions
The US administration is considering imposing strict sanctions on Russia, targeting its "shadow fleet." The sanctions aim at illegal oil transports through the Baltic. The information was provided by Fox News, citing sources in the White House.
The US president's administration plans to impose strict sanctions on Russia, focusing on its "shadow fleet." As reported by Fox News, the sanctions are set to hit illegal oil transports through the Baltic Sea. According to sources, the current level of sanctions is considered low, making the "shadow fleet" an easy target.
Fox News sources report that US President Donald Trump is disappointed with the attitude of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who, according to him, is delaying ceasefire negotiations.
Trump expressed his dissatisfaction in a conversation with NBC News, threatening to impose duties on Russian oil.
Transport flows through the Baltic
According to data, as much as 70% of illegal oil sales in Russia take place via the "shadow fleet."
Trump plans another phone call with Putin soon to discuss these issues.
Out of approximately 600 ships transporting Russian oil through the Baltic, almost half are so-called "shadow fleet" - a report by Yle established. Most of them are 15 years old or older tankers.
The Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) in Helsinki estimated that in the period from the beginning of 2022 to mid-2024, i.e., from the start of Russian aggression on Ukraine, Russia transported nearly 374 million tonnes of oil or oil products worth over 220 billion euros (340 billion Canadian dollars) through the Baltic routes.
Main Russian oil terminals are located in the eastern part of the Gulf of Finland in the St. Petersburg region, Primorsk, and Ust-Luga.
Russian "shadow tankers," not covered by Western insurance, play a significant role in circumventing sanctions imposed on the Kremlin by the G7 group.
