EU confiscate Russian oil has become a central focus for Ukraine as President Volodymyr Zelensky urged European nations to take stronger legal measures against Russia’s shadow fleet of tankers. Speaking in Helsinki to leaders of the Joint Expeditionary Force, Zelensky emphasized that coordinated action is necessary to cut Moscow’s leverage over European energy markets.
“We need joint action to create strong laws in Europe that allow countries to block Russian tankers and confiscate the oil,” Zelensky said. “This should be a real tool to take away Russia’s ability to pressure Europe.”
The shadow fleet consists of vessels that Russia uses to evade Western sanctions imposed after its 2022 invasion of Ukraine. These ships often operate under obscure ownership, carry minimal insurance, and are sometimes poorly maintained. Zelensky warned that without stricter enforcement, these vessels could continue undermining the sanctions regime.
Several European countries have already demonstrated that action is possible. Denmark, Sweden, and France recently seized ships suspected of being part of the shadow fleet. In Sweden, authorities detained the Sea Owl I and arrested its captain for alleged document falsification. In the Mediterranean, the French navy took control of a tanker under suspicion of sanction evasion.
Zelensky called on EU nations to extend these measures continent-wide. “Please also help others in Europe move these decisions forward and implement them at home,” he said. The president framed such actions as both a strategic and legal necessity, aimed at weakening Russia’s capacity to use energy as a political weapon.
The United Kingdom has introduced new powers allowing its navy to board and seize sanctioned vessels entering British waters. EU records indicate that nearly 600 ships are currently under sanctions for participating in Russia’s shadow fleet, making enforcement a complex but urgent task. Analysts say consistent implementation across Europe could significantly reduce Moscow’s ability to bypass sanctions and stabilize energy markets for the continent.
