The Dutch government has proposed a legal change to more effectively crack down on Russia's shadow fleet, prompting the Russian embassy to threaten its own retaliation. The Netherlands said the adjustments would allow it to more easily intercept such vessels, which are used to circumvent international sanctions and often sail without a flag.
If the bill is passed, shadow fleet ships “sailing under a false flag in the Dutch Exclusive Economic Zone can be detained and required to proceed to an anchorage or port for further inspection,” according to a government press release Friday. The Russian embassy in the Netherlands replied promptly to the development and asked if the Hague “is ready for Russia’s counteractions?” in a social media post.
“As our President has made it clear, Moscow is free to mirror hostile actions against our vessels in a suitable for us manner.” European nations are already on alert to potential Russian threats on its territory. Attacks on commercial vessels off the Black Sea’s western coast are also on the rise, with Russian drone strikes damaging multiple ships earlier this week.
Source: Bloomberg Markets · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing