Bringing in Russian oil through a hidden route Bypasses EU sanctions

 

Russia's invasion of Ukraine This is how Russian oil enters Europe by stealth  

 

Of: 

 

Nora Fernstedt 

 

Published: Today 07.34 NEWS 

 

Out in international waters, Russian oil is pumped over to Greek tankers. 

 

In this way, the oil continues to flow into Europe - despite EU sanctions. 

 

This is reported by

Deutsche Welle

, which accompanied a Greek journalist team out into the open water. 

 

Since new sanctions came into effect in April, Russian-flagged ships are no longer allowed to dock in EU ports. 

 

But Russian oil still reaches the EU – via hidden sea routes. 

 

The German newspaper Deutsche Welle has accompanied a team of journalists investigating how Russian oil is pumped over to Europe outside of Greek Laconia. 

 

The Russian ships enter via the Black Sea. The oil is then transported to Greek tankers - and on to European countries. 

 

Together with a Greek journalist team, Deustche Welle has documented how Greek ships pump oil from Russian ships into international waters. 

"The problem lies in the hands of the EU" 

 

The shipowners do not believe they are doing anything illegal, as Greece cannot violate the sanctions in open waters. 

 

Even if it is not illegal, there is a moral dilemma, says Thodoris Chondrogiannos from the journalist network Reporters United. 

 

- The Greek ship owners also own many TV channels where they report that Russia's war in Ukraine is bad. But at the same time they continue to transport Russian fossil fuels all over the world, he tells DW. 

 

And Greek politicians that DW spoke to believe that it is rather the EU that needs to do something about it. 

 

- The Russian oil does not go to Greece, it goes to all of Europe. So the problem lies in the EU's hands, says member of parliament Stavros Arachovitis to DW. 

 

  "Balloon-like" protection will prevent the ships from bumping into each other.

 

EU agrees on oil freeze

Even Nikkei Asia  has also reported on Russian oil entering Europe by stealth. According to their analysis, 41 ships have pumped over oil from Russian ships since the war began in February. 

 

By tracking the ships' AIS signals, it has been possible to see that the Russian oil has since reached ports in Greece, Belgium, Great Britain and other European countries. 

 

The EU has agreed to stop imports of Russian oil. The stop is taking place gradually, and at the beginning of next year it is expected that the ban will come into force completely. But already today, companies that buy Russian oil face harsh criticism. 

 

Experts also fear that secret offshore oil transactions will continue even after the oil freeze comes into effect.