A cross-party coalition of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) has urged Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to take swift action against the sale of Greek-owned vessels to Russia, as these transactions allegedly support the Kremlin’s operations in sustaining a shadow fleet that undermines sanctions imposed by the G7 on Russian oil. In a letter sent to the Prime Minister’s office, 36 lawmakers from various political backgrounds emphasized the necessity of halting these sales, which they argue not only bolster Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine but also pose significant environmental and security threats to Greece, a country with a notable maritime industry. The MEPs expect “concrete results” from their appeal, highlighting that the actions taken are critical for the long-term security of both Europe and Greece.
The MEPs referenced research from the Brookings Institution, indicating that over half of the vessels forming Russia’s shadow fleet are owned by Western Europeans, with Greek sellers being the most involved. They stressed that these sales are motivated by financial gain rather than moral considerations, directly contributing to the plight of the Ukrainian people and compromising the broader European security landscape. Lithuanian lawmaker Petras Auštrevičius, who played a major role in drafting the letter, articulated the need for decisive measures to prevent Greek companies from engaging in activities that enable the trading of Russian oil.
In response to the letter, the office of Prime Minister Mitsotakis did not immediately provide comments but asserted that Greek authorities are committed to enforcing sanctions and preventing their circumvention. Greece’s traditional involvement in the trade of Russian fossil fuels has come under scrutiny, especially as EU sanctions have evolved. Although there has been a decline in these activities, they have not entirely ceased, as Greek companies are still permitted to purchase Russian liquefied natural gas (LNG) under current regulations.
The operations of the so-called shadow fleet have become increasingly concerning, as these vessels are employed by the Kremlin to bypass the price cap on Russian oil mandated by Western allies in response to the ongoing invasion of Ukraine. This fleet consists of older, uninsured tankers that engage in deceptive practices such as falsifying data and turning off transponders to evade detection. The use of ship-to-ship transfers allows these vessels to obscure the origin of the oil they transport, effectively circumventing the existing controls imposed by G7 nations.
Political pressure to dismantle this fleet has intensified, particularly following incidents in the Baltic Sea where these Russian-operated vessels were implicated in sabotaging undersea cables. The European Union has responded by blacklisting 153 vessels associated with the shadow fleet, banning them from EU ports and services. An EU spokesperson indicated that they continuously analyze data and proposals from member states for potential additional listings, emphasizing that any new designations would require unanimous approval from the Council.
Despite the substantial sanctions already in place, the EU has refrained from implementing an outright ban on the sale or transfer of tanker ownership to Russia. Instead, the current regulations require that transactions be reported if the potential buyer has connections to Russia, and a sale is only permissible with national authority approval. This designation system is intended to disincentivize the attractiveness of these vessels in the international market, thereby increasing operational costs for Russia and hindering its maritime capabilities. As the EU prepares for future rounds of restrictions, the urgency to address this complex issue continues to grow, with the focus shifting toward enhancing compliance and enforcement mechanisms within the maritime sector.
