The Russian Foreign Ministry on Monday described the seizure of tankers allegedly belonging to Russia's shadow fleet as "absolutely unacceptable," warning it will use all tools at its disposal to defend its interests.
The ministry said in a statement that France, Sweden, and Finland, "with impunity," stop and escort vessels they deem objectionable to their ports, accusing them of violating some kind of "international" sanctions.
"To achieve the goal of depriving Russia of income from international trade, the EU invented the definition of 'shadow fleet,' which does not exist in international maritime law, and under the cover of which piracy on maritime routes is carried out," it said.
The diplomatic service emphasized that the only sanctions that are international are those approved by the UN Security Council.
"Unilateral unlawful restrictions adopted by individual states or limited groupings thereof are neither international nor legitimate. The contradiction of unilateral sanctions to international law has been repeatedly confirmed by resolutions of the UN General Assembly," it said.
The ministry pointed out that vessels operating under false flags in the interests of European states themselves are somehow not subject to such restrictions.
"The main thing is not the flag, but the destination. If oil is intended for Europeans, no matter what vessel it is transported on, European authorities will find no grounds to detain such ships," it said.
The ministry described the "terrorist attack" involving unmanned boats and drones on the LNG tanker Arctic Metagaz flying the Russian flag in the Mediterranean Sea as "a completely flagrant case" of violation of international law.
"No European state condemned such actions by their Ukrainian proxies. In this case, Europe becomes not just a silent witness but a direct accomplice to the outrages of the Kyiv regime," it noted.
Russia will use all political, legal, and other tools at its disposal to ensure respect for the principle of freedom of navigation, the ministry said.
"Those who aim to turn the Baltic Sea, as well as other waters, into the 'internal waters' of NATO and the EU must understand that cases of piracy and lawlessness will not go without a response from our side, using all necessary means," it warned.
The ministry called on the global community not to succumb to "neocolonial dictatorship, but to unite in defense of their legitimate interests and those of bona fide maritime carriers."
"We are confident that the global majority is aware of all the threats and risks associated with the attempts of Western countries to turn the world's oceans into a zone of confrontation, to achieve sole control over maritime communications, and to deprive the world's nations of sources of development," it said.
By Elena Teslova in Moscow
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr
