Greece blocks Russian crude oil tanker as part of EU sanctions amid Ukraine war: Reports

Amid relentless war in Ukraine, Russian shipping ministry on Tuesday informed that Greek officials seized a crude oil tanker as part of European Union's (EU) embargoes against Moscow. Russian-flagged tanker Pegas was intercepted near Karystos in Evia, with 19 crew members on board. "It has been seized as part of EU sanctions," a shipping ministry official said, Daily Sabah reported. Meanwhile, a coastguard official stated that vessel has been detained, but not oil shipment. 

On a related note, 700 people linked to Kremlin or accused of aiding invasion have been blacklisted by EU ever since onset of Ukraine war. Furrmore, on April 8, EU formally opted its fifth set of sanctions against Russia. In dition to coal, EU restrictions prohibit importing a variety of or commodities and products from Russia including wood, rubber, cement, fertilisers, and high-end seafood, worth a total of 5.5 billion euros (over Rs 454 crores) every year. 

EU's embargoes on Russia

bloc has also imposed export restrictions on a range of products to Russia, worth a total of 10 billion euros (over Rs 800 crores) per year, including jet fuel, quantum computers, vanced semiconductors, high-end electronics, software, sensitive machinery, and transportation equipment,  Daily Sabah reported. Meanwhile, last week, Greek government declared that no more military equipment would be sent to Ukraine. dressing a press briefing on April 15, Greek government spokesperson Ioannis Oikonomou stated that Greece would stop sending weapons to war-torn nation. official, however, did not say wher Greece h previously sent Stinger man-portable air defence weapons to Ukraine.

EU won't be able to replace Russian oil & gas in next 5-10 years: Russia 

Meanwhile, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak claimed that European Union will not be able to fully replace Russian oil and gas in next five to 10 years. He also stated that this opinion is echoed by significant players in global energy market. Deputy Prime Minister stressed that foreign energy corporations normally do not stop cooperating with Russia voluntarily, and Moscow believes that rationality will prevail in long run. His statement comes as several countries across world continue to impose sanctions on Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. 

Image: AP