Key facts
- The EU has expanded the mandate of its Operation IRINI in the Mediterranean.
- EU naval vessels are now authorized to stop and inspect ships suspected of being part of a 'shadow fleet' carrying Russian oil.
- Russia's Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova condemned the decision.
- Zakharova stated the EU's actions constitute a violation of international law.
- Russia reserves the right to use political, legal, and other instruments to protect maritime security and shippers' interests.
Russia on Wednesday condemned a European Union decision to authorize its naval vessels in the Mediterranean to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of a 'shadow fleet' transporting Russian oil. Moscow stated it would take all necessary legal and other measures to protect such vessels.
The EU announced on Monday that it had expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI, its naval mission in the Mediterranean originally established to enforce a UN arms embargo on Libya.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova asserted that the EU's move poses a threat to maritime security and accused the bloc of intimidating civilian vessels. She dismissed the term 'shadow fleet' as a political fabrication not recognized in international law. Zakharova told a press briefing that the inspection or seizure of vessels carrying oil products by Operation IRINI would be a flagrant violation of international law. Russia reserves the right to employ its full arsenal of political, legal, and other instruments to safeguard maritime security and the legitimate interests of shippers and shipowners.