Russia Calls EU Ship Seizures Piracy
Russia's Foreign Ministry has condemned EU and French actions against vessels it calls the 'shadow fleet,' labeling them as piracy and a violation of international law, warning they could backfire and raise oil prices.
Consensus
- Russia's Foreign Ministry has criticized the EU and France for detaining ships linked to the 'shadow fleet'.
- The Russian diplomat Artyom Studennikov stated that these actions violate international maritime law.
- The actions are said to threaten global trade and could lead to higher oil prices.
- The EU and France have detained multiple ships under various flags, with some being released after fines.
- Russia claims the EU is manipulating international law and creating dangerous precedents.
Points of divergence
- The ships were detained by the French Navy starting in September 2025, with a consistent pattern of seizure, transfer to a French port, and release after paying a 'fine'. — m24
- Russia claims the EU has been granted the right to seize and sell seized oil under the 21st package of sanctions, calling it 'ordinary piracy'. — m24
- Vladimir Putin stated that Russia will respond in kind, including in the Pacific Fleet's area of responsibility. — m24
- The EU is accused of using the 'shadow fleet' concept, which the diplomat claims is a fictional construct not recognized in maritime law. — vesti
- Sweden also detained five cargo ships with Russians on board starting at the end of 2025, one of which — the 'Adler' — was quickly released due to lack of evidence. — vm
Coverage (4 sources)
- Diplomat Studenkov: Seizure of ships by EU countries will lead to an increase in oil prices — Вечерняя Москва
- Will hit like a boomerang: Russian Foreign Ministry warns EU about consequences of tanker detentions — Вести
- Russian Foreign Ministry calls French detention of tankers maritime piracy — Москва 24
- Robbery and piracy: Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reacts to France's detention of tankers — Вести
Key entities
- MID
- France
- Russia
- Artem Studennikov
- Moscow
- EU
- RIA Novosti
- Paris
- First European Department
- Naval Forces
- European Union (EU)
- Naval Forces
- European Union (EU)
- European Department