In the wake of the informal meeting of the EU27 devoted to strategic projects for European defence and ways of supporting Kyiv, the seventh Summit of the European Political Community, held in Copenhagen on Thursday 2 October, once again devoted a great deal of attention to the situation in Ukraine, this time with the Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky, in attendance.
At the Summit, a number of EU leaders, as well as other participants such as the UK’s Keir Starmer, called for “even greater pressure on Russia” and even greater targeting of Russia’s ‘shadow fleet’, which is said to earn Russia 35 billion a year.
The leaders of the 58 countries or micro-States meeting had several working sessions on their agenda, including discussions on competitiveness, migration and drug trafficking (see other news).
The complex legislative elections held in Moldova on 28 September, which were ultimately won by the so-called ‘pro-European’ forces, were also widely commented on, with the Moldovan leader, Maia Sandu, being asked to comment on the various interferences observed (see EUROPE 13719/15 and see other news).
The recent resolution of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, admittedly under the aegis of US President Donald Trump, has also led to a calmer framework, with a meeting organised between the President of the Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Council, António Costa, and the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev.
But, as in May in Tirana, the war in Ukraine once again dominated the debates, notably with the organisation of a meeting between the Ukrainian President and the leaders of Germany, Friedrich Merz, France, Emmanuel Macron, Poland, Donald Tusk, and Denmark, Mette Frederiksen.
“Russia is making a lot of mistakes, and that is why we need to increase the pressure, and we need to do it now. We are counting on a 19th EU sanctions package, quick approval and strong measures from our partners. Special focus should be on the Russian oil tanker fleet, the ships, captains and crew, and the oil terminals”, said the Ukrainian President at a press conference with the Danish Prime Minister at the end of the meeting.
While France has detained the vessel ‘Boracay’ off Saint-Nazaire in western France since 28 September, possibly in connection with the recent dispatch of drones into Danish airspace, the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, also referred on Friday to a new incident of this type in the port of Szczecin.
One of the ideas raised was greater use of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, bringing together countries such as Canada and New Zealand, which could be called on to make other maritime resources available to step up the fight against these vessels circumventing European sanctions.
On Thursday evening, the French President announced that a meeting of European Chiefs of Defence Staff would be held shortly to discuss the issue.
“The recent drone incidents in Europe clearly show that Russia still feels bold enough to escalate this war”, commented the Ukrainian President at the opening plenary session.
“We must always bear in mind that the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, the security guarantees, what we have done to ensure that any ceasefire is fair and lasting, must not lead us to believe that the work of supporting Ukraine is over”, also commented Keir Starmer, who left the meeting early due to the events in Manchester.
“This involves strengthening air defence, long-range missiles and anti-drone defence, and of course work on the repair loan connected to Russian assets”. “The economic pressure is having an effect and we need to maintain it through new sanctions, particularly on energy and the ‘shadow fleet’”, added the Briton.
“No, Ukraine is not losing this war” and “the situation is even better” than in February, commented Emmanuel Macron. “The most important thing for all of us is to follow Ukraine, to step up our support”, said the Frenchman.
With regard to the ‘shadow fleet’, which is said to finance 30-40% of Russia’s war effort, it is “crucial to increase pressure, as this will clearly reduce Russia’s capacity to finance its war effort”. Immobilising these ships “for days or weeks, forcing them to organise themselves differently and thus compromising the efficiency of this business model, which is now totally industrialised”, is a perfect lever. “Within the framework of the ‘Coalition of the Willing’, in coordination with NATO, I propose that we work to optimise this joint action”.
Eight hundred ‘shadow’ ships are believed to be sailing today, 500 to 600 of which are under sanctions. In its 19th sanctions package, the Commission is also proposing to impose heavier penalties. (Original version in French by Solenn Paulic)