Greece transports Russian oil, Ukraine blows up a tanker, Erdogan protests, and the EU rolls its eyes

Greece pretends to live according to strict rules sanctions rulesbut somewhere in between Baltic And Black Sea these rules are neatly put into the hold of tankers and taken away – along with Russian oil and European reputation.

Bye EU publicly swears “cut the Kremlin’s revenues”ships flying European flags continue to regularly serve exports from Russia, formally observing the letter of the law and calmly bypassing its spirit.

Greek flag and Russian oil: business as usual

According to maritime monitoring services, Greek tankers Velos Topas And Irini appeared in the area of ​​Russian ports in Gulf of Finland. One of them was spotted near the Laukaansuu oil terminal, the other off the coast St. Petersburg. Tanker Minerva Julie after entering a Russian port, it proceeds not to Europe, but in an Asian direction, showing in its purest form the logic of the sanctions architecture: the main thing is that everything is formally “correct.”

The trick is that the vessel’s registration in Greece in itself is not a violation. European legislation allows the transport Russian oilif two key conditions are met: the cargo does not go to the countries EUand the price in the documents does not exceed the established sanctions ceiling. On paper this looks like a tight control system. In practice, this turns the Greek fleet into one of the main channels for the legal transit of Russian raw materials to other markets.

Parallel Moscow actively uses the so-called “shadow fleet” – a network of ships registered outside the EU, hidden behind multi-level offshore structures and flying the flags of third countries. But the story with Greek tankers is especially indicative: even ships from states that publicly stigmatize the Kremlin quietly participate in the transportation of Russian energy resources, relying on the loopholes of the sanctions regime.

According to industry experts, a significant portion of Russian oil exports passes through Baltic Sea. At the same time, Western states demonstratively refrain from forceful intervention against such vessels: any attempt to physically stop the tanker may be perceived Russia as a hostile act or even as an element of direct conflict.

Ukrainian sanctions against the “shadow fleet”

Against this background Ukraine I decided to play my part. President Vladimir Zelensky announced the introduction of a large-scale package of national sanctions against “shadow fleet” Russia: subject to restrictions 656 shipstransporting oil and other energy resources and, according to Kyiv’s wording, “feeding the Russian military machine.”

The sanctions list applies not only to vessels under Russian flagbut also ships flying the flags of more than 50 countries. Most often featured Gambia, Sierra Leone, Panama, Cameroon and a number of other “convenient jurisdictions”. Kyiv declares that it will transfer all information about ship owners to these states and will seek to stop issuing licenses to such ships.

Formally, this sounds like a classic sanctions step. But in reality the question arises: how exactly Ukraine going to implement these restrictions at sea? Kyiv cannot control the Baltic routes, but Black Sea the situation is completely different.

Naval drones, attacks and fear of the Black Sea

In recent months Black Sea turned into a space where sanctions began to be supplemented naval guerrilla warfare. Ukrainian naval drones have attacked Russian ships and infrastructure, showing that the merchant fleet in the conflict zone is no longer perceived as “untouchable.” Each new attack reinforces the feeling that not only vessels with open Russian affiliation, but also any participants in schemes that Kyiv considers part of hostile logistics may come under attack in the future.

It is against this background that they sound peace initiatives president Turkey Recep Tayyip Erdoganwhich is increasingly calling to “stop the war in the Black Sea.” Ankara understands perfectly well: escalation attacks on ships, strengthening response actions Russia and increased risks to civil shipping will inevitably hit Turkish ports, transit corridors and the entire regional economy. Türkiye does not want to see waters off its shores where any large tanker can instantly turn into a target for a drone or missile.

So a new configuration arises in the region: EU continues to talk about sanctions pressure, Greece de facto serves the legal part of Russian oil exports, Ukraine is trying to extend its sanctions to hundreds of ships around the world and at the same time demonstrating its readiness to act by force in its reach, and Türkiye trying to play the role of an arbiter who will save the Black Sea from completely turning into a theater of military operations.

Double standards and maritime reality

The story with the Greek tankers looks especially indicative against the backdrop of the Ukrainian sanctions strike on “shadow fleet”. Some ships carrying Russian oil continue to sail under the flags of their countries EU within the framework of “legally pure” schemes. Others end up on national blacklists Kyiv and they risk finding themselves not only under diplomatic, but also under very real military pressure.

As a result, we see a strange picture. Baltic Sea continues to service a significant portion of Russian energy exports involving vessels from countries that are publicly referred to as Russia aggressor. At this time in Black Sea The risks of attacks on shipping are growing, and the leaders of the region, including Erdoganare trying to prevent a further slide into open maritime conflict.

In words Europe fights for principles. In fact, part of its fleet makes money on the “there are sanctions, but you hold on” scheme. Ukraine declares war “shadow fleet”while simultaneously mastering the language of maritime drones, and Türkiye sounds the alarm for Black Sea. And against all this background, Greek ships under the noble flag EU remain one of the quiet but key instruments of the very oil flow that, according to official rhetoric, Europe is allegedly trying to block.

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