Zelensky: Russia Acts Like A Mafia

• 1.03.2026, 17:18

Ukraine's president urged Europe to confiscate vessels of Russia's "shadow fleet".

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has called on Western partners to confiscate oil from detained tankers of Russia's "shadow fleet". According to him, the Russian Federation "acts like a mafia organization" and should receive a tough response.

Vladimir Zelensky published his reaction to the seizure of a tanker of the Russian "shadow fleet" on social network X in response to a message from Belgian Prime Minister Bart de Wever. He noted that the intercepted vessel was under sanctions by the United States, the European Union and Britain, but continued to illegally transport Russian oil with a "false flag" and forged documents.

"We welcome these decisive actions against Moscow's floating purse and thank France for supporting the operation," the Ukrainian president said.

He added that he believes it is necessary to modernize European legislation so that ships that transport Russian energy products are not just detained but seized Russia acts like a mafia organization, and the response must match that reality. If they reject the rules for the sake of war, the rules must provide for a clear and firm response," the Ukrainian leader stressed.

We would like to recall that Belgium seized a "shadow" tanker of the Russian Federation, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Franken reported on March 1. According to media reports, the ship in question is the 180-meter tanker Ethera - the US Treasury Department links it to the son of an adviser to Iran's liquidated supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.