UK to sanction Russian oil tankers in bid to undermine Kremlin war effort

LONDON

The UK government is preparing to impose fresh sanctions on a fleet of Russian oil tankers, according to a statement by 10 Downing Street on Thursday.

Up to 100 vessels are set to face new restrictions, with Downing Street saying that the tankers have transported more than £18 billion ($24 billion) worth of cargo since the start of 2024.

The move will be officially announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a summit of north European leaders known as the Joint Expeditionary Force (JEF) in Oslo.

According to Downing Street, the shadow fleet has “bankrolled the Kremlin’s illegal war in Ukraine” and is believed to include ships that are “decrepit and dangerous”, with some being blamed for “reckless seafaring.”

These concerns follow recent reports of damage to a major undersea cable in the Baltic Sea.

Under the new measures, the sanctioned ships will be banned from entering British ports and may be detained if found in UK waters.

Starmer stressed the broader implications of the action, stating: “Every step that increases pressure on Moscow and works towards peace for Ukraine is another step towards security and prosperity in the UK.”

The JEF comprises 10 northern European nations, including Denmark, Norway, and the Netherlands. The group, which serves as a defense coalition, is also expected to announce additional support for Ukraine at the Oslo summit.