French President Emmanuel Macron has called for more decisive action against the so-called Russian shadow fleet and for measures to make it more difficult for Russia to import key raw materials and fuels, DPA reported, BTA reported.
The “shadow fleet“ refers to a network of often outdated vessels with unclear ownership used by Russia to transport oil and other goods in circumvention of Western sanctions imposed over the war in Ukraine.
Macron proposed holding a ministerial-level meeting in the next few weeks 'dedicated to fighting the shadow fleet, to make sure we take action wherever possible“.
France has already detained several oil tankers it says belong to "shadow fleet" and contribute to generating revenue for the Russian military economy. The Coalition of the Willing also pledged to take more coordinated action against such vessels.
In a video address to the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Kiev, Macron also called for sanctions to prevent exports of gas, oil and diesel fuel to Russia.
According to Macron, Russia had not imported these products before, but is now doing so. He added that while it may not be possible to put pressure on countries like Belarus, some supplies reach Russia through Swiss companies.
Macron also said that the planned Coalition of the Willing exercise in Poland would take place in October and November.
The Coalition of the Willing is a group of countries supporting Ukraine and working on long-term guarantees for the country's security, including plans for a multinational force that could be deployed in Ukraine after cessation of hostilities.
The exercise will demonstrate that the coalition is ready to deploy forces and is capable of taking action after the cessation of hostilities, Macron said.