EU leaders call for more boardings of shadow fleet vessels and regret US easing on Russian diesel

EU leaders meeting as the European Council in Brussels on 15 and 16 October called for further steps, coordinated with partners, to cut Russia's energy revenues, close loopholes, counter circumvention and restrict the shadow fleet's activities and business model, according to their conclusions. The leaders said the environmental, security and maritime safety risks posed by these vessels required a "whole of route" approach and a common, coordinated response from member states and partners, in particular through more boarding operations in line with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. They welcomed the recent adoption of the 21st sanctions package and said they regretted the United States' decision to temporarily lift sanctions on Russian diesel.

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