US rejects Canada’s proposal on Russia’s "shadow fleet" ahead of G-7 summit

The United States has declined Canada's proposal to form a task force addressing Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers, as the Trump administration reassesses its approach to multilateral organizations.

Canada, which currently holds the rotating presidency of the G-7, is preparing to host a foreign ministers' summit in Charlevoix, Québec, next week, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

During negotiations to finalise a joint statement on maritime issues, the US has advocated for stronger language regarding China while downplaying references to Russia. According to sources who requested anonymity, the US is also seeking to remove the word "sanctions" from the draft, replacing it with a reference to Russia’s "ability to earn revenue" rather than its "ability to maintain its war" in Ukraine.

The term “shadow fleet” refers to a group of ageing oil tankers that are allegedly being concealed to evade Western sanctions imposed on Moscow since its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In addition to vetoing Canada’s task force proposal, the US has pushed for more direct references to China in the statement, particularly in relation to maritime security. The US has proposed highlighting the threat to “lives and livelihoods” posed by China's "unlawful maritime claims," its aerial activities, and the situation in the South China Sea.

The draft statement also reflects US opposition to stronger commitments on maritime sustainability and the creation of a maritime observatory to track boundary changes, a key issue in global maritime conflicts, particularly in the South China Sea.

While the G-7 communique will not be finalised until consensus is reached, sources suggest that tensions between the US and its Western allies have grown significantly. Last month, for example, the US blocked a joint statement to mark the third anniversary of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, preventing the usual condemnation of Moscow.

Diplomats from the US have indicated that Washington’s approach is driven by a reevaluation of its position in multilateral organisations, which has led it to refrain from joining new initiatives.

The US’s stance comes amid broader shifts in international relations, with European leaders meeting in Brussels this week to discuss increasing defence spending, as concerns grow about the future of US participation in NATO and other alliances under President Trump.

In another sign of shifting foreign policy dynamics, a separate draft of the G-7 communique reportedly omits any reference to Russian aggression, instead welcoming “all efforts” to agree to a ceasefire.

By Aghakazim Guliyev