On June 8, 2023, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that member states have authorized naval vessels operating in the Mediterranean as part of Operation IRINI to detain foreign tankers suspected of transporting Russian oil. This decision is part of the EU's strategy to combat what it refers to as the "shadow fleet" that supports Russian military operations in Ukraine. Kallas highlighted that the operation has evolved, allowing for boarding of vessels, which aims to establish uniform practices among EU countries regarding their engagement with these ships. The primary goal of this initiative is to prevent Russia from securing funds for its military activities. Operation IRINI was initially launched in 2020 to inspect commercial vessels and prevent illegal arms shipments to Libya, but it has struggled to meet its objectives. The new measures reflect the EU's commitment to addressing the ongoing geopolitical tensions stemming from the conflict in Ukraine and the implications of Russian oil transport in the Mediterranean region.