MOSCOW: Russia on Wednesday condemned an EU decision to authorize EU military vessels in the Mediterranean to stop and inspect foreign ships suspected of being part of a “shadow fleet” transporting Russian oil, and said it would take all necessary legal and other measures to protect them. The EU said on Monday it had expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI, its naval mission in the Mediterranean that was originally set up to enforce a UN arms embargo on Libya.

The EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy said the main objective of the measure is to "curb Russia from funding" its military operation in Ukraine

Speaking ahead of a meeting of EU defense ministers in Cyprus, Kallas said the bloc had expanded the mandate of Operation IRINI, the EU naval mission in the Mediterranean.