One Less Russian Tanker
The French navy blocked a Russian tanker in the Mediterranean due to its potential association with Russia's shadow fleet. which allows Russia to export oil even with sanctions in place. This is part of broader attempts by European states to expand their presence and actions against Russian energy exports. French President Emmanuel Macron and Ukrainian legislators state that due to the revenue that Russia receives from oil sales, it has been able to sustain its war efforts against Ukraine. Knowing well that Russia's economy largely depends on oil revenue, France, the U.K., the U.S., and other European states have stepped up pressure on these aging, unregulated tankers. These active tankers have changed their identities and flags to finesse sanctions imposed on Moscow. One should question whether a new strategy is in order, given that the EU has levied a total of 19 packages of sanctions since Russia's full-scale war against Ukraine. Moscow continues to sell millions of barrels of oil to countries like China and India.
Author: Murad Sharaf
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