Russia Tightens Port Access: FSB Control Over Foreign Vessels

The Russian government has tightened control over its port access for foreign vessels, following a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin. The decree mandates that foreign ships must seek approval from Russia's FSB security service, marking a shift from the previous system where the transport ministry governed port entries. This new measure took effect immediately upon the decree's publication on Monday, as reported by state news agency TASS.

The regulation's language indicates its applicability to all Russian ports, without providing an explicit rationale for the change. This tightening of controls comes as Russian ships and the so-called 'shadow fleet,' used by Moscow to evade sanctions, face increased scrutiny from Western nations. The European Union has recently reduced a price cap in a bid to impact Russian oil revenues.

Additionally, former U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened further sanctions on Russia and its export buyers unless action is taken to resolve the conflict in Ukraine. This regulatory shift in port access underscores the growing international pressure on Russia, as global powers seek to curb its economic resilience in the face of geopolitical tensions.

(With inputs from agencies.)