The German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for more active actions regarding Russia's "shadow fleet" during his visit to Latvia.
Source: Tagesschau, "European Truth"
Details: Wadephul emphasized the threat posed by the Russian "shadow fleet" and highlighted the importance of strengthening sanctions against it.
"No other region of the EU feels such significant influence from hybrid actions by the Kremlin. We cannot afford to hesitate when it comes to protecting critical infrastructure and imposing sanctions against the Russian shadow fleet. Germany supports Latvia and other Baltic countries," he noted.
The minister also emphasized that the EU has already imposed sanctions against the vessels of the Russian "shadow fleet" and the individuals behind them.
However, he pointed out the need to increase the effectiveness of sanctions and to activate cooperation among the Baltic Sea countries.
Wadephul also stressed the importance of the ability to take measures against vessels whose flag status is uncertain, meaning when it is unknown in which country the tankers are registered.
"We must use all the opportunities provided by international maritime law to stop such vessels," he added.
Earlier, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius noted that Russia is intensifying hybrid attacks on European countries to test their resilience, particularly in the Baltic Sea.
It was reported the day before that the Finnish Border Guard, together with other Baltic Sea states and the European Commission, is creating a maritime monitoring center to protect critical underwater infrastructure in the Gulf of Finland.
