On 8 June, Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission, announced that EU countries have expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI to allow naval vessels operating in the Mediterranean to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of Russia’s so-called ‘shadow fleet.’ She said the move is aimed not only at enforcing sanctions but also at improving maritime safety and reducing revenues Moscow could use to finance its war against Ukraine.
