Foreign minister warns of environmental catastrophe in Baltic Sea as he accuses Moscow of using unseaworthy vessels

Russia appears prepared to create “environmental havoc” by sailing unseaworthy oil tankers through the Baltic Sea in breach of all maritime rules, the Swedish foreign minister has said.

Speaking to the Guardian during his first visit to London since Sweden became a Nato member, Tobias Billström called for new rules and enforcement mechanisms to prevent the ageing and uninsured Russian shadow fleet causing an environmental catastrophe. About half of all Russian oil transported by sea passes through the Baltic Sea and Danish waters, often operating under opaque ownership, and using international waters to try to avoid scrutiny.

The fleet generates a huge amount of revenue for Russia’s war machine, bypassing western sanctions that try to block access to insurance if Russia sells the oil above $60 a barrel. In practice as little as 20% of Russian oil is sold below the price cap.

  • theprogressivist
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    7 months ago

    Man, Russia is really quadrupling down on the villainy.

    • @avater
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      7 months ago

      People act like Russia is in somekind of a phase but they are behaving in such a evil way since decades now.

      • theprogressivist
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        27 months ago

        I never implied that. Just pointing out the obvious.

        • @avater
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          47 months ago

          I know, i also did not imply that you said so :)

    • @[email protected]
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      17 months ago

      As long as russia remains a dictatorship, they will continue. Enriching a handful at the expense of everyone else. The dictatorship is not going to govern itself responsibly. Only outside pressure helps them do that.