US Congress urges Trump administration to tighten sanctions on Russia’s "shadow fleet"

Four US congressmen, members of the Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe, have called on the administration of President Donald Trump to broaden sanctions against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”

In a letter addressed to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers outlined the proposed expansion of measures targeting Russia’s illicit maritime network.

The letter notes that, as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his country’s war of aggression against Ukraine, the United States should impose further sanctions on vessels and organisations facilitating the sale of Russian oil and gas in violation of international rules.

The lawmakers highlighted that the European Union recently expanded its sanctions to include an additional 100 Russian-linked vessels and associated organisations involved in the shadow fleet.

“The shadow fleet is a financial lifeline for Putin,” the letter states. “Without it, his ability to fund the war would be placed in question.” It adds that Russia routinely changes tankers’ names, sails them under different national flags, and conceals their locations to evade sanctions. Many of these vessels are described as old, poorly maintained, insufficiently insured, and crewed by inexperienced personnel.

The congressmen also emphasised that the shadow fleet poses broader risks, including potential damage to critical infrastructure and environmental hazards. They noted that tanker operators, financiers, flag registries, foreign countries, and opaque shell companies that facilitate the fleet are complicit in sanctions evasion, enabling Russia’s attacks on Ukraine and threatening global maritime security. Some of these vessels have also transported sanctioned Iranian and Venezuelan oil.

The lawmakers praised existing sanctions on Russian energy giants Rosneft and Lukoil and urged the Trump administration to persuade European allies to cease consumption of Russian petroleum products. Expanding shadow fleet sanctions in line with EU measures, they argued, is a necessary next step to cut off the resources Putin is using to sustain the war.

“Putin should know that we will punish his relentless attacks on Ukraine—and his targeting of civilians and civilian infrastructure—with real consequences,” the letter concluded.

By Aghakazim Guliyev