EU ministers call for coordinated action on Russian ‘shadow fleet’ in Baltic Sea

Fleet of tankers sailing under flags of convenience estimated to carry up to 85% of Russia's oil exports

Calls to step up and coordinate the interdiction of the unflagged Russian shadow fleet" of oil tankers in the Baltic Sea were made this weekend before the EU foreign ministers' meeting on Monday, which is expected to impose sanctions on 180 ships, taking the total number of ships sanctioned by the EU to 350.

The efforts to stop the fleet, estimated to be carrying as much as 85% of Russia's oil exports and so funding roughly a third of Russia's budget, are seen as a critical proof of the EU's determination to keep the economic pressure on Russia.