The European Union has taken a step further in its pursuit of Russian oil by adopting a new policy that allows member states to seize and confiscate oil cargoes from Russian vessels.
The measure, included in the latest package of sanctions against Russia, enables member states to "dispose safely" of the seized oil and conduct various operations such as import, transfer, storage, management, and sale of the oil.
Russia has consistently denied operating a shadow fleet and has condemned the seizure of vessels on the high seas, denouncing such incidents as acts of piracy.
The EU's move is part of its broader efforts to restrict Russia's access to global oil markets and limit its ability to fund its military actions.
