Germany’s Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called for stricter sanctions on Russia’s “dark fleet” of oil tankers, citing repeated underwater cable damages in the Baltic Sea.
At a Glance
- Germany urges tougher sanctions on Russia’s “dark fleet” of oil tankers
- Underwater cable damage in the Baltic Sea raises security concerns
- Finnish authorities detained the Eagle S oil tanker, suspected to be part of Russia’s dark fleet
- NATO plans to enhance military presence in the Baltic Sea region
- EU has already sanctioned 79 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet
Germany Pushes for Stricter Measures
Germany is leading the charge for more stringent sanctions against Russia’s elusive “dark fleet” of oil tankers. Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has highlighted the urgent need for action, pointing to the frequent incidents of undersea cable damage in the Baltic Sea. The push comes as concerns mount over the environmental and security risks posed by these vessels, which often operate with unclear ownership and inadequate insurance.
“Ships are damaging major undersea cables in the Baltic Sea almost every month,” German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said.
Baerbock’s call for action stems from a series of incidents where ships have been observed engaging in suspicious behavior. “Crews are leaving anchors in the water, dragging them for kilometers along the seafloor for no apparent reason, and then losing them when pulling them up,” Baerbock explained. This reckless conduct has led to repeated damage to critical underwater infrastructure, raising alarms about potential deliberate sabotage.
Baltic Sea Security at Risk
The urgency of the situation was underscored by a recent incident involving a severed underwater cable between Finland and Estonia. Finnish authorities took decisive action by detaining the Eagle S oil tanker, suspected of being part of Russia’s dark fleet. The incident is currently under investigation as “aggravated criminal mischief” by Finnish police, highlighting the seriousness with which Baltic nations are treating these threats to their infrastructure.
Germany calls for new sanctions on Russia's dark fleet that is 'damaging major undersea cables' nearly every month https://t.co/YCj6QwQfGO
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In response to the growing threat, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte announced plans to bolster the military presence in the Baltic Sea region. This move signals the alliance’s commitment to protecting vital undersea communications and energy infrastructure from potential sabotage or accidental damage.
EU’s Current Stance and Future Actions
The European Union has not been idle in the face of these challenges. To date, the EU has sanctioned 79 vessels from Russia’s shadow fleet, banning them from EU ports and services. However, Baerbock and her German colleagues argue that these measures do not go far enough to address the evolving threat posed by the dark fleet.
The risks associated with these vessels extend beyond security concerns. Many ships in the dark fleet are aging, poorly maintained, and lack proper insurance coverage. A recent incident in the Kerch Strait, where two tankers spilled fuel oil during a storm, exemplifies the environmental hazards these vessels pose to European waters.
As Germany pushes for enhanced sanctions, the international community watches closely. The Kremlin has remained tight-lipped on the matter, with spokesperson Dmitry Peskov offering a non-committal response: “I cannot say anything for sure, for this is a highly specialized issue that the presidential administration is hardly in a position to comment on.”
