Zelensky presses Europe to seize Russian oil and block ‘shadow fleet’ in escalating sanctions

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on European countries to increase economic pressure on Russia by enacting laws that would allow confiscation of Russian oil and restrict the movement of ships linked to Ukraine’s “shadow fleet.”

In a video address to leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) meeting in Helsinki on Thursday, Zelensky urged a coordinated legal and law enforcement framework across Europe to counter Moscow’s efforts to circumvent sanctions imposed since the outbreak of war in 2022.

“We need concerted action to create strong laws in Europe that would allow countries to block Russian tankers and seize oil,” Zelensky said.

The JEF, a British-led alliance of 10 Northern European countries, has emerged as a key platform for security cooperation in the region, particularly in response to Russia’s ongoing military campaign in Ukraine.

Zelensky emphasized that targeting the shadow fleet, which is widely believed to facilitate Russian oil exports outside the formal sanctions regime, would significantly weaken Moscow’s influence over Europe.

“This should be a real tool to eliminate Russia’s ability to pressure Europe,” he said.

“Please also help other countries in Europe to advance this decision and implement it domestically,” he said.

Also read: EFCC distances itself from Kwara Poly protests, insists its operations target fraud suspects

The Ukrainian leader also praised recent law enforcement actions taken by several European countries, including Denmark, Sweden and France that intercepted vessels suspected of being part of the network.

Their actions were “a clear demonstration that law enforcement is not only possible but also effective,” he said.

Russia’s shadow fleet is believed to consist of hundreds of old oil tankers operating under unclear ownership structures, often without adequate insurance, and used to evade Western sanctions following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Recent developments highlight Europe’s growing determination to limit such networks. The French Navy reportedly captured a third suspected shadow fleet tanker in the Mediterranean last week, while Swedish authorities detained the Sea Owl I in mid-March and arrested its captain on suspicion of falsifying documents and maritime violations.

In a further escalation, the British government announced on Wednesday that its military would be authorized to board and seize sanctioned ships linked to the shadow flotilla if they entered British territorial waters.

Currently, some 598 vessels believed to be part of the network are under European Union sanctions, underscoring the scale of the challenge facing law enforcement agencies.

Zelensky’s latest call signals Kyiv’s push for a more aggressive and unified European response, as it seeks to tighten economic constraints on Moscow and limit its capacity to sustain the war effort.