Europe Plans Joint Action to Impede Russia's Shadow Fleet in Waters

French President Emmanuel Macron has called for coordinated European action against Russia's shadow fleet, a network of tankers and vessels that helps Moscow evade Western sanctions and sustain oil exports amid the war in Ukraine. Macron emphasized that these ships finance a significant portion of Russia's war effort and urged European nations, in collaboration with NATO, to impede suspicious vessels entering their waters, including boarding and detaining ships when necessary. Recent actions include France detaining crew members of a Benin-flagged tanker suspected of being part of this shadow fleet. Macron also stressed the need to address recent drone incursions into Danish airspace, advocating for stronger defense measures such as shooting down unauthorized drones to protect European security. European leaders at the summit echoed these concerns, highlighting the hybrid warfare threats posed by Russia and the urgency to adopt more unpredictable and strategic responses. This collective effort aims to increase pressure on Moscow, disrupt its wartime economy, and reinforce security cooperation across Europe.