Edition: International | Greek
MENU

Home » EU Actually

Zelensky attempts to whip up public opinion

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attempts to whip up public opinion against seaborne Russian oil exports, particularly the Greek tankers that carry big part of it

By: N. Peter Kramer - Posted: Wednesday, July 13, 2022

Greeks are the world’s biggest tanker owners and were the most active transporters of Russian oil, even before the invasion of Ukraine in February.
Greeks are the world’s biggest tanker owners and were the most active transporters of Russian oil, even before the invasion of Ukraine in February.

N. Peter Kramer’s Weekly Column

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky attempts to whip up public opinion against seaborne Russian oil exports, particularly the Greek tankers that carry big part of it. ‘We see Greek companies providing almost the largest tanker fleet for the transportation of Russian oil’, Zelensky told an Economist conference in Athens last week, speaking via weblink. ‘I am sure that this does not meet the interests of the EU, Greece or Ukraine. This just one example of the need for even greater unity, so that Russia forced to seek peaceful solutions’.

Greeks are the world’s biggest tanker owners and were the most active transporters of Russian oil, even before the invasion of Ukraine in February. Their market share has increased since, according to market observers, as several Western shipping companies self-sanction from the trade, for ‘moral reasons’ or to avoid bad press in their countries. Seven of the nine owners whose vessels made multiple deliveries of crude to India were Greek, according to data from the Finland-based Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

But what is the problem? Greek shipowner Evangelos Marinakis said Greek oil transports are in line with current EU sanctions that allow Russian crude imports till the end of the year. He also said that EU’s dependence on Russian oil cannot be overcome overnight. And ‘What the Greek tonnage is transporting is oil that has been already contracted and is fully approved by the EU’.

Fellow Greek owner Angeliki Frangou beat the same drum. ‘Governments do the policy and create the trading patterns, (they) make the rules, we follow them’, she said. It is duly noted!

READ ALSO

EU Actually

One year after the Draghi report: China’s trade surplus increased by almost 20 percent

N. Peter KramerBy: N. Peter Kramer

At the presentation of his 400-page report in September 2024, Mario Draghi said, the EU will face a ‘slow death’ if it doesn’t quickly close the gap with economic superpowers such as the United States and China

Europe

The EU must define its red lines in a tough new security doctrine

The EU must define its red lines in a tough new security doctrine

Realpolitik, greatly enhanced by television, has in recent weeks sent an embarrassing message around the world – the European Union isn’t the global player it claims to be

Business

The Next Chapter: Governance and Growth for Global South families

The Next Chapter: Governance and Growth for Global South families

In much of the Global South, family-owned businesses are not a side story

MARKET INDICES

Powered by Investing.com
All contents © Copyright EMG Strategic Consulting Ltd. 1997-2025. All Rights Reserved   |   Home Page  |   Disclaimer  |   Website by Theratron