Denmark's Role in Blocking Russian Oil Tankers Raises Questions

Russian oil tankers are not targeted in the European Commission's proposal for tightening the implementation of a price cap on the country's crude oil, according to EU diplomats. Earlier reports suggested that Denmark would be tasked with inspecting and potentially blocking Russian oil tankers sailing through its waters as a way of enforcing the price cap. However, EU diplomats have stated that there is no such reference in the Commission's proposal. Blocking commercial vessels in the Danish straits would be contrary to fundamental rules of the sea, and Denmark would only have the right to stop a vessel if it posed an obvious threat.