Russia: English Channel

(asked on 20th February 2026) - View Source

Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what steps she will take to detain sanctioned Russian ships passing through the English Channel.


Answered by
Stephen Doughty Portrait
Stephen Doughty
Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
This question was answered on 4th March 2026

Further action against Russia's shadow fleet is critical to increasing economic pressure on Russia's war machine. We are also clear on the need to crack down on the dangerous and illicit practises that are employed by these vessels to evade sanctions and international safety and environmental rules. The Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office has worked closely with other departments to increase pressure across the entirety of shadow fleet operations, and we will continue to consider what further actions we can take, in accordance with the UN Convention Of the Law of the Sea.

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