UK intelligence agencies plan to involve NATO allies to raid 'shadow fleet': Russia claims
As per the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, this plan provides for a major act of sabotage to force Washington into sanctioning buyers of Russian energy.
In a post on X, the Russian MFA said, "Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service: UK intelligence agencies plan to involve NATO allies to launch a massive raid on the 'shadow fleet'. This plan provides for a major act of sabotage to force Washington into sanctioning buyers of Russian energy."
https://x.com/mfa_russia/status/1952391437288370641
"British secret services are planning ecological disaster in international waters. The press bureau of the Foreign Intelligence Service of the Russian Federation informs that, according to the information coming to the SVR (Russian Foreign Intelligence Service), the British secret services are planning to involve NATO allies in a massive roundup for the 'shadow fleet'," the statement said.
According to the UK's plan, the impetus for such a campaign should be provided by "a resonant incident involving one or more tankers."
"The plan involves organizing a major act of sabotage the losses of which would allow the transportation of Russian oil to be declared a threat to all international shipping. This would untie Western countries' hands in choosing methods of counteraction," the document said, as quoted by Tass.
According to the SVR, the British are working on "two potential casus belli." "The first scenario implicates setting up an 'unwanted' tanker accident in one of bottlenecks of sea communications (for example, in straits). As it is believed in London, oil spills and fairway blocking would provide NATO countries with 'sufficient' grounds for establishing a precedent of 'extraordinary' vessel inspection under the guise of maritime safety and environmental regulations compliance," the statement noted.
The SVR pointed out that the timing of the UK attack is intended to be chosen so as to use the media effect from it to put pressure on the administration of US President Donald Trump, as per Tass.
"The aim is to force Washington, in defiance of its national interests, to impose the most severe secondary sanctions against Russian energy resources buyers, making them seen as 'indirect culprits of the tragedy'," the statement said, as per Tass.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Times of Oman
2 hours ago
- Times of Oman
GTRI calls US's additional tariff on India "hypocritical", overlooking Russia's trade with EU, China
New Delhi: The Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI) on Wednesday called the United States' decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports "hypocritical", highlighting Washington's selective approach towards its allies and China when it comes to their trade relations with Moscow. This came after Washington announced the additional levy, which adds to an existing 25 per cent tariff, raising the total duty on Indian goods to 50 per cent, effective from August 27. The GTRI, in its statement, stated that the US had overlooked Russia's trade with the European Union and China, noting selective enforcement on India, exposing Washington's hypocrisy. According to the data given by GTRI, China purchased USD 62.6 billion of Russian oil in 2024, surpassing India's USD 52.7 billion, yet Beijing faces no punitive tariffs. The think tank pointed out that the US avoids targeting China due to its leverage over critical materials such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, which are vital for the US defence and technology industries. It also noted that the US has turned a blind eye to the EU's USD 39.1 billion imports from Russia in 2024, including USD 25.2 billion in oil, while the US itself purchased USD 3.3 billion in strategic materials from Russia. "GTRI calls the US action hypocritical. In 2024, China bought $62.6 billion of Russian oil--more than India's $52.7 billion--yet faces no such penalties. Washington avoids targeting Beijing because of China's leverage over critical materials such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, vital for US defence and technology," the statement read. "The U.S. has also overlooked its allies' trade with Russia: the EU imported $39.1 billion of Russian goods last year, including $25.2 billion in oil, while the U.S. itself purchased $3.3 billion in strategic materials from Russia," it added. It stated that this selective targeting not only threatens India's USD 86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, but also raises questions about the credibility of US trade policy, as the move is expected to potentially reduce Indian exports to the US by 40 per cent to 50 per cent. "The move places India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners, far above rivals such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and threatens most of India's $86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, from textiles to machinery... The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with a cut of US-bound exports by 40-50%," the statement read. The GTRI recommended that India should remain cautious, avoid immediate retaliation for at least six months, and continue strategic engagement with Russia, China, and other global trade partners. It also noted that abandoning Russian oil purchases solely to appease Washington would not prevent future trade threats. "India could think of not buying Russian oil if economically viable, but should not abandon Russian oil purchases simply to satisfy Washington. The US may find a new pretext to tax India again. India should remain calm, avoid retaliation for at least six months, and recognise that meaningful trade negotiations with the US cannot proceed under threats or mistrust. US action will push India to reconsider its strategic alignment, deepening ties with Russia, China, and many other countries," the statement read.
Times of Oman
11 hours ago
- Times of Oman
Trump slaps additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil purchases
Washington: US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an 'unusual and extraordinary threat' to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. 'Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent,' the order stated. 'This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order,' the order added. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump, hours after he mentioned raising tariffs on India, said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25 per cent 'very substantially' over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. 'They're fuelling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy,' Trump told CNBC in an interview, as cited by Reuters. According to the report, he added that the main sticking point with India was that its tariffs were too high but did not provide a new tariff rate. Trump had said on Monday that the United States will 'substantially raise' the tariff paid by India for buying 'massive amounts of Russian Oil', stating that much of the oil purchased from Moscow is being sold in the open market 'for big profits'. Trump's announcement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, came days after he announced a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on India and an unspecified penalty for importing oil from Russia. 'India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!' the US President said in the post. Soon after the US President's remark, India said that 'the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable'. A statement by the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. The spokesperson said that India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. 'In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion,' the statement noted. MEA spokesperson said that the European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023.'This is significantly more than India's total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024 reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. 'The spokesperson said that Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment. 'Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security,' the statement said. India has, earlier too, defended its sovereign right to conduct energy policy based on national interest. The government had clarified that market dynamics and national interests guide India's energy purchases. 'You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements, which looks at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation. We are not aware of any specifics,' MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week, answering queries on Trump's announcement of a penalty for purchasing Russian oil. Answering another query, Jaiswal said India's relations with any country are based on their own merit and shouldn't be viewed through the lens of third countries.'Our ties with any country stand on their merit and should not be seen from the prism of a third country. As far as India-Russia relations are concerned, we have a steady and time-tested partnership,' he added. Answering a query on Friday, Trump indicated that if India stops buying Russian, it will be a good step. Trump announced the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and a penalty for importing Russian oil in the last week of July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. There are apprehensions that global crude prices could jump to USD 200 a barrel if India were to stop buying Russian oil, which will severely harm consumers.
Muscat Daily
11 hours ago
- Muscat Daily
Trump raises India tariffs to 50% over Russian oil purchases
Washington – The United States government has announced an additional 25% tariff on goods imported from India, citing New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The new levy raises the total tariff rate on Indian goods to 50%, among the highest imposed on any US trading partner. 'I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,' US President Donald Trump said in an executive order issued on Wednesday. 'Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25%,' the order stated. The newly announced tariffs will come into effect in 21 days, while the previously announced 25% duties are scheduled to take effect on Thursday. India called it 'extremely unfortunate' and asserted that its energy imports are guided by national interest and market dynamics. 'We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India,' a spokesperson for India's Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. 'We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,' the statement added. The tariff increase follows recent warnings by President Trump to penalise countries continuing trade with Russia, particularly in the energy sector, amid ongoing tensions linked to the war in Ukraine. The executive order also directs US officials to assess whether other countries are importing Russian oil and recommend possible actions accordingly. Agencies
