Belgium, in coordination with France, has seized a suspected Russian shadow fleet oil tanker in the North Sea, intensifying European enforcement of sanctions on Moscow’s energy exports.
Belgium’s Defence Minister Theo Francken confirmed that armed forces boarded the vessel on Saturday (28 February) evening and escorted it to Zeebrugge. President Emmanuel Macron said French helicopters supported what he described as a “major blow” to the ghost fleet.
Prime Minister Bart De Wever praised the operation, stating Belgium would uphold international maritime law and protect its territorial waters. Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot said the action was conducted under the International Task Force on the Shadow Fleet, alongside G7, Nordic and Baltic partners.
Key developments:
• Joint Belgium–France operation in the North Sea
• Vessel escorted to Zeebrugge port
• Part of wider EU sanctions enforcement
• The EU has struggled to stop Russia from exporting oil with the shadow fleet. As of December, it had designated about 600 vessels as part of the fleet.
ℹ️ POLITICO
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