On January 21, 2025, the European Parliament expressed grave concerns regarding the damage caused to an undersea electrical cable in the Baltic Sea, which they attribute to Russian activities. Lawmakers characterized the incident as an act of sabotage and urged the European Commission to implement sanctions against all vessels associated with Russia's 'shadow fleet'.
The 'shadow fleet', which is reportedly involved in circumventing sanctions by transporting Russian oil, has raised alarms not only for environmental risks but also as tools of hybrid warfare against the EU. This discussion was sparked by an event in late December 2024, where Finnish authorities detained the oil tanker Eagle S, suspected of being involved in the cable damage that connects Finland and Estonia.
European Commission Executive Vice-President Genn Värkkunen highlighted the geopolitical tensions and the potential for further incidents, warning of serious repercussions for both the Baltic region and the EU as a whole. Currently, the EU has sanctioned 71 vessels linked to the 'shadow fleet', while estimates suggest the fleet may consist of between 700 to 1,400 tankers.
German MEP Michael Gahler noted that the cable damage is just one of many alarming signals from Russia towards the EU, emphasizing the need for a coordinated response. Swedish MEP Helen Fritzson pointed out that half of Russia's oil exports pass through Swedish waters, posing significant ecological and security risks.
Danish MEP Anders Vistisen criticized the EU's inadequate response to protect its interests in the Baltic Sea and called for stronger maritime defenses among NATO countries in the region. He also condemned Danish authorities for failing to impose sanctions against Russian vessels.
In a related context, Estonian MEP Urmas Paet expressed frustration over the perception that such incidents are not part of Russia's hybrid warfare strategy, urging collective European action against these threats.
Meanwhile, Finnish MEP Ville Niinistö dismissed claims from The Washington Post suggesting the cable damage was accidental, reinforcing the need to halt the 'shadow fleet' due to its environmental risks.
In a separate development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed hopes for a shift in Germany's stance on NATO membership for Ukraine and the supply of long-range weapons following the upcoming Bundestag elections. Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos on January 21, he acknowledged Germany's military support while expressing a desire for further advancements in cooperation.