Japan imposes restrictions on 35 vessels of Russia’s shadow fleet — RMF24
Japan has announced a new package of economic sanctions against the Russian Federation — an aggressor state — over its aggression against Ukraine. The restrictions, in particular, apply to 35 vessels of the so-called shadow fleet which, according to Japanese authorities, transport Russian oil and help circumvent international sanctions. This was reported by RMF24.
Restrictions on vessels and Russian entities
Authorities in Tokyo have required 35 vessels to obtain permits for logistics and financial services. Operations involving capital and loans connected with these vessels have also been restricted.
The Japanese government said the decision was made in view of the international situation surrounding Ukraine and as part of coordinated measures by the leading countries of the Group of Seven. The sanctions are intended to limit the Kremlin’s ability to finance the war Russia has been waging since February 2022.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
In addition, Japan decided to freeze the assets of 33 Russian organizations and nine individuals. Controls will extend to payments, deposit agreements and loans. The new rules also ban exports to four entities in third countries which, according to the Japanese side, facilitate the circumvention of trade restrictions. Tokyo will separately restrict supplies of goods capable of strengthening Russian industry.
Possible talks on Patriot missiles
At the end of September, Itsunori Onodera, a lawmaker from Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party and a former defense minister who visited Kyiv, announced his intention to resume talks on transferring or selling weapons to Ukraine. According to him, this concerns, in particular, interceptor missiles for Patriot air defense systems.
Onodera noted that legal and political restrictions are in force in Japan. He also said that under Prime Minister Takaichi’s leadership, they plan to begin intergovernmental talks on further steps. According to Ukrainian estimates, Kyiv needs at least 300 interceptor missiles for Patriot systems for the coming winter.
