Ukraine is preparing its own sanctions against the Russian tanker fleet – Kyiv wants to increase pressure together with its partners
11 December 05:22
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has announced that Ukraine will introduce a separate sanctions package this month targeting Russian tankers and oil transportation infrastructure.
He announced this in his telegram channel, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Predient emphasized that the new restrictions should be part of a broader international effort to block Russia’s energy revenues.
Sanctions as a response to maritime risk
According to the president, Ukraine plans to strike at ships and companies that transport Russian oil and support Russia’s war economy.
“There will be more sanctions against Russian tankers… and the entire infrastructure for the transportation of Russian oil,” Zelenskyy said.
He noted that pressure on the Russian oil sector is also being increased by European partners: the EU is preparing new measures against ships operating in the “shadow fleet” to circumvent restrictions.
International coordination
The President also announced a meeting of the Coalition of the Willing, which includes more than 30 countries. According to him, the partner countries will coordinate security actions on land, in the air and at sea.
“Next week we will coordinate with Europe in bilateral formats,” he said.
Zelenskyy emphasized that the diplomatic visits of the Ukrainian delegation yield “practical results” primarily for defense.
Fighting illegal transportation and the “shadow fleet”
The announced package of sanctions coincides with a number of incidents related to maritime transportation:
- The SBU detained a foreign vessel in the port of Odesa that was illegally exporting agricultural products from the occupied Crimea.
- Ukrainian naval drones, according to sources, damaged the sanctioned Dashan tanker. It was a joint operation of the SBU military counterintelligence and the Navy.
Experts note that Russia is actively expanding its “shadow fleet” of tankers that transport oil in violation of international norms, bypassing the price ceiling restrictions. Therefore, new Ukrainian sanctions could be an important addition to European and American measures.
In addition to the maritime sector, Zelenskyy also announced new decisions against Russian propagandists.
Ukraine expects to present its sanctions package in December, after which it will be coordinated in formats with international partners.
