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What did Europe do about Russia's shadow fleet?
Summary
A look back at the sanctions and legal moves in the days before 23 May 2025, as reported at the time.
What was Europe doing to press Russia and its neighbour Belarus in the days leading up to 23 May 2025? Two moves, announced on 19 and 20 May, set the picture.
On 20 May 2025, the European Council adopted a 17th sanctions package against Russia. It included 189 additional vessels belonging to Russia's shadow fleet.
A day earlier, on 19 May 2025, Lithuania filed a lawsuit against Belarus at the International Court of Justice. Vilnius accused Minsk of orchestrating the migrant crisis and of violating international law.
The two steps used different tools: one a package of sanctions adopted by the European Council, the other a case brought before the International Court of Justice by a single member state. Both were directed at Moscow and Minsk respectively, and both were in the public record by 23 May 2025.
