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Russian ‘Shadow Fleet’ Tanker Found Adrift in Baltic Sea
A Panamanian-flagged oil tanker, Eventin, believed to be part of Russia’s “shadow fleet,” was discovered adrift in heavy seas off Germany’s Baltic Sea coastline. The vessel, reportedly carrying 99,000 tons of Russian oil bound for Egypt, went adrift for several hours on Saturday, prompting a rescue operation.
A tugboat from Bremen successfully towed the tanker into safer waters near the German island of Rügen. While there was no immediate environmental threat, the incident has raised concerns about maritime security and sanctions evasion efforts by Moscow.
Greenpeace: Part of Russia’s ‘Shadow Fleet’
Environmental organization Greenpeace has labeled the Eventin as part of Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a network of aging tankers allegedly used to circumvent international sanctions. These sanctions, imposed after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, aim to cut off key revenue sources for the Russian state. The fleet is said to consist of hundreds of older vessels that operate under foreign flags to evade detection and maintain oil exports.
Germany’s Response
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock condemned the incident, calling it a threat to both regional security and tourism in the Baltic Sea.
“This shows that Russia is endangering European security not only through its war of aggression on Ukraine but also through sabotage, disinformation, and the operation of dilapidated oil tankers,” Baerbock said.
She emphasized that Moscow’s use of a “nefarious fleet of rusty tankers” poses significant risks, including potential environmental disasters and economic harm to tourism in the Baltic region.
Broader Implications
The incident highlights the challenges of enforcing sanctions on Russian oil exports. Despite international restrictions, oil revenue remains a critical component of Russia’s economy, and vessels like the Eventin are believed to play a key role in sustaining these flows.
The use of aging and potentially unsafe tankers increases the risk of accidents and environmental damage, particularly in sensitive marine regions such as the Baltic Sea. Environmental groups have long warned that these ships, often poorly maintained, pose serious hazards to maritime ecosystems.
Ongoing Investigations
Authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the Eventin drifting in the Baltic Sea. While there is no evidence of immediate sabotage or technical failure, questions remain about the safety and monitoring of such vessels.
This incident underscores the complexities of maritime security in the face of evolving geopolitical tensions and the lengths to which nations might go to circumvent international restrictions.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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