World · Europe · 11 hrs ago
Lavrov says EU ship seizures are unsettling global markets
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the EU of seizing foreign ships and cargoes in an article for the Russian newspaper Kommersant.
He said the EU uses the terms “shadow fleet” and “price caps” to justify its actions, and argued that neither has a basis in international law.
Lavrov said these measures are unsettling global markets by creating uncertainty and extra costs.
He also argued that trade is becoming more regional as the global economy fragments.
The article cites international estimates saying no more than 70% of global trade flows are within the WTO framework.
Russian officials have previously said European countries detained ships on suspicion of links to a so-called shadow fleet.
Russia has said it is ready to take matching measures against attempts to seize or detain ships operating in its interests.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said EU seizures of foreign ships and their cargoes were unsettling global markets.
In an article for Kommersant, he said the EU’s use of the term “shadow fleet” and price caps had no basis in international law.
Lavrov said such actions create uncertainty and costs, weaken global economic links and contribute to fragmentation.
He also said no more than 70% of global trade flows are conducted within the World Trade Organization framework.
- Who
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the claims.
- What
- He said EU seizures of foreign ships and their cargoes were unsettling markets. He criticized the EU’s use of “shadow fleet” and price caps.
- When
- The articles were published on November 9, 2026. TASS’s dateline says November 10.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Lavrov said the actions create uncertainty and additional costs, undermine economic connectivity and fragment the global economy.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Russia’s ambassador to Sweden said five vessels with Russians on board had been detained since the start of the year.
Lavrov said European countries had detained 12 vessels, citing what he called unfounded pretexts.
Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Russia was ready to take reciprocal measures against attempts to seize or detain vessels acting in its interests.
Articles reported Lavrov’s claims about EU ship seizures and their effects on markets.
- Speaker
- Sergey Lavrov, Russian foreign minister
- Article
- The Impact of Global Economy on International Security,” for Kommersant
- Trade figure
- No more than 70% of global trade flows are within the WTO framework, according to international estimates cited by Lavrov
- Detentions since start of 2026
- Five vessels with Russians on board, according to Russia’s ambassador to Sweden
- Detentions cited by Lavrov
- 12 vessels, which he said European countries had detained in September
2 sources
What people are saying
Markets are being thrown into turmoil by this kind of geopolitical lawlessness
All these actions by the West are in direct violation of international law.
They create uncertainty and additional costs, and undermine global economic connectivity and long-term resilience.