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European Union

The Brief – COP climate summit is no longer the only game in town

Euractiv.com - 6 hours 6 min ago
COP29 does not look promising, as few world leaders will attend.
Categories: European Union

COP29 opens after Trump win with call for cooperation

Euractiv.com - 7 hours 34 min ago
Donald Trump has pledged to once again withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate agreement, and there are concerns the move could weaken ambition around the negotiating table.
Categories: European Union

Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: Bringing the threat to light

Written by Anna Caprile and Gabija Leclerc.

Following Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU), G7, and allied partners imposed extensive sanctions targeting Russia’s economy, in particular the oil sector, in an effort to curb the Kremlin’s revenues which finance its war effort. Key measures include an embargo on Russian seaborne oil imports and a price cap on oil and oil products that restricts profits while still allowing sales below a certain price. Enforcement mechanisms prevent Russia from chartering or insuring oil tankers unless they comply with these limits. In response, Russia has sought new markets and established a ‘shadow fleet’ to evade these restrictions.

The terms ‘shadow fleet’, ‘dark fleet’ and ‘grey fleet’ have gained prominence following the imposition of sanctions on Russian energy exports, yet their definitions remain inconsistent among experts, leading to confusion. Analysts increasingly recognise that the broader definition, encompassing all vessels lacking Western insurance and belonging to non-EU/G7+ companies, captures the diverse tactics employed by Russia to circumvent sanctions and highlights the potential risks associated with these operations.

To evade sanctions, the Russian ‘shadow fleet’ makes use of flags of convenience and intricate ownership and management structures while employing a variety of tactics to conceal the origins of its cargo, including: ship-to-ship transfers; automatic identification system blackouts; falsified positions; transmission of false data; and other deceptive or even illegal techniques. In addition to bolstering its war chest, Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, which consists of a growing number of aging and poorly maintained vessels that operate with minimal regard to the regulations, poses significant environmental, maritime safety, and security risks.

As Russia depends increasingly on its ‘shadow fleet’ to maintain oil exports, the EU and allied nations have implemented measures to counter these evasive tactics. These include imposing targeted sanctions on specific vessels and enhancing international collaboration to disrupt such activities.

During a plenary debate in October 2024, Members of the European Parliament called for enhanced maritime surveillance, tighter shipping controls, and expanded sanctions to address the significant environmental and safety threats posed by these vessels. Parliament is expected to vote on a resolution on this issue during its November I 2024 plenary session.

Read the complete briefing on ‘Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’: Bringing the threat to light‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.

Categories: European Union

Dutch police detain 50 protesters at pro-Palestinian rally after soccer unrest

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 12 min ago
The Netherlands has seen a rise in antisemitic incidents since the Gaza war began in October last year.
Categories: European Union

Trump, Putin speak as Biden plans to lobby Trump to stick with Ukraine

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 27 min ago
Donald Trump has criticised the scale of US military and financial support for Kyiv, vowing to end the war quickly, without saying how.
Categories: European Union

Starmer to meet Macron in France to discuss Ukraine support after Trump win

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 44 min ago
Starmer and Macron will discuss "Russia's ongoing barbaric invasion of Ukraine and the appalling humanitarian situation in Gaza," Downing Street said.
Categories: European Union

Poland gears up for EU leader role after Trump win, instability in Europe

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 51 min ago
In today’s edition of the Capitals, find out more about Poland gearing up for a bigger leadership role in Europe, Slovak's Fico casting doubt over Trump's pledge to end the war in Ukraine in "24 hours", and so much more. 
Categories: European Union

Bulgaria demands right to veto sale of Russian Burgas refinery

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 57 min ago
In other words, the state wants to have a veto over the sale of Lukoil Neftochim.
Categories: European Union

Czech Pirate Party charts new course to the centre, bets on new leader

Euractiv.com - 11 hours 59 min ago
This change in leadership comes at a time of significant upheaval for the Pirates.
Categories: European Union

Slovakia’s Fico doubts Trump’s Ukraine plan, pushes for less Western aid

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 2 min ago
Fico called for "an end to the killing of Slavs in Ukraine", a phrase used in pro-Russian rhetoric.
Categories: European Union

Valencia president refuses to resign despite pressure over flooding

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 4 min ago
Thousands of citizens marched in Valencia, Alicante and Madrid.
Categories: European Union

Italy’s president urges China to leverage market influence to end conflicts

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 7 min ago
He called for Beijing’s support in ending "Russia’s brutal aggression against Ukraine".
Categories: European Union

EU migration reform caught up in political posturing over German snap vote

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 10 min ago
The constitution requires the chancellor to hold a vote of confidence before calling snap elections.
Categories: European Union

Poland gears up for EU leader role after Trump win, instability in Europe

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 13 min ago
Poland is the world's twenty-first-largest economy and will soon seek to join the G20.
Categories: European Union

COP29 to be a ‘frugal’ affair as EU leaders flake

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 46 min ago
With EU leaders busy at home, all eyes are on the bloc's Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra to make COP29 a success.
Categories: European Union

Commission strategically outsources best practices for general-purpose AI to 13 unpaid experts

Euractiv.com - 12 hours 59 min ago
“I do not recall ever seeing a procedure like this,” Pierre Larouche, a law professor at the Université de Montréal and research fellow at the Centre for Regulation in Europe (CERRE), told Euractiv. 
Categories: European Union

Republicans on brink of clinching US House control after taking Senate

Euractiv.com - Sun, 11/10/2024 - 08:09
With votes still being counted from the 5 November general election, Republicans had won 213 seats in the 435-member House, according to Edison Research.
Categories: European Union

The buildup to attacks on Israeli football supporters in Amsterdam

Euractiv.com - Sun, 11/10/2024 - 07:56
Tension began to build on Wednesday as some of the 3,000 visiting Maccabi supporters had minor altercations with locals including taxi drivers and Ajax supporters in the city centre, police said.
Categories: European Union

EU moves to reassure Ukraine of ‘unwavering support’ after Trump win

Euractiv.com - Sun, 11/10/2024 - 07:40
Borrell, the first top EU official to visit Kyiv since Donald Trump's win, said that the purpose of his visit was to stress EU support for Ukraine, as its war with Russia nears 1,000 days.
Categories: European Union

Remarks by President Charles Michel after the informal European Council meeting in Budapest

European Council - Sat, 11/09/2024 - 14:53
President Charles Michel, President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Orbán held a press conference  at the end of the informal meeting of Heads of state or government held in Budapest.
Categories: European Union

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