Russia-Ukraine war: Greece to release Russian tanker impounded due to EU sanctions

Greece, on Thursday, announced that it will release a Russian oil tanker that it impounded earlier this week. " coast guard has been ordered by anti-money laundering authority to release vessel," a government official told Maritime Executive, stopping short of revealing details. Russian-flagged vessel was seized by Greek coast guards as it violated EU sanctions which forbid Russian vessels in its ports.

While Pegas ship was deemed to belong to Vlimir Putin's government-backed bank Promsvyazbank, it was later revealed that carrier was sold in April last year to somebody else. Notably, ship carried Iranian oil, which has been banned by both US and Europe. According to reports, tanker h been sailing through Mediterranean region since September 2021 but h failed to fetch any substantial customers.  

EU embargoes on Russia

27-member European Union 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.

Russian 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)