US Senators Push for Crackdown on Russia‘s Shadow Fleet, Ukraine Preparing Its Own Sanctions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has asked Washington to consider sanctions against Russia’s shadow fleet of ships that have been involved in international trade despite the ongoing full-scale war in Ukraine.
“We need to look at this situation and find ways to counter it,” Zelensky said during a visit to the U.S. on March 29, as reported by NBC News.
The Ukrainian leader emphasized that Russia’s continued participation in global commerce, including through its shadow fleet, undermines international sanctions imposed on Moscow over its actions in Ukraine.
“Russia is using its shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions and continue trading with other countries,” Zelensky said. “We need to take action to stop this.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba echoed the president’s sentiments during a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on March 28.
“We urge the international community, particularly our friends in the United States, to take concrete steps to address Russia’s use of its shadow fleet,” Kuleba said. “This is not just an economic issue; it also undermines the effectiveness of sanctions against Russia.”
U.S. Senators Introduce Bill to Target Russia’s Shadow Fleet
On April 6, U.S. Senators Marco Rubio and Ron Johnson introduced a bill aimed at cracking down on Russia’s shadow fleet.
The proposed legislation would require ship registries around the world to verify the ownership and control of vessels before registering them in their respective countries. This measure is intended to prevent Russian ships from being registered under flags of convenience, thereby avoiding international sanctions.
“We must take decisive action against Russia’s use of its shadow fleet to circumvent sanctions,” Rubio said during a press conference on April 6. “This bill will help prevent Russia from using foreign-registered vessels to engage in international trade while simultaneously waging war on Ukraine.”
Ukraine Preparing Its Own Sanctions
On March 31, the Ukrainian government announced it was preparing its own set of economic sanctions against Russia, which would target companies and individuals involved in international trade through the shadow fleet.
“We are working on a set of measures that will target those who are profiting from their involvement with Russia’s shadow fleet,” said Ukrainian Economy Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko during an interview with CNN. “We want to make sure that these individuals and companies understand that there will be consequences for their actions.”
The exact details of the proposed sanctions have not been disclosed, but they are expected to include measures such as asset freezes, travel bans, and restrictions on business activities.
These developments come amid a fragile partial ceasefire covering strikes on energy infrastructure and the Black Sea, brokered in U.S.-mediated talks in Saudi Arabia on March 11.