US-UK talks in London on Russia’s oil fleet and Gaza ceasefire

US-UK talks in London are set to address critical issues including Russia's shadow oil fleet and a ceasefire plan for Gaza. Antony Blinken, the US Secretary of State, will meet with UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy, ahead of discussions between President Joe Biden and Labour leader Keir Starmer in Washington. The agenda includes Ukraine's request to use UK-supplied missiles against Russia, amid concerns over the effectiveness of sanctions on Russian oil exports. Moscow has been utilizing a shadow fleet to transport oil, circumventing Western sanctions. Despite international efforts to curb this practice, the number of tankers evading the $60 price cap on Russian oil has remained largely unchanged. A study indicated that Russian oil export revenues were significantly high due to weak enforcement of the price cap, with only a small fraction of the shadow fleet facing sanctions. The UK government is exploring ways to address the issue of countries that allow these tankers to operate under their flags. The landlocked nation of Eswatini has agreed to dismantle its ship registers, which were deemed fraudulent by the International Maritime Organization. This highlights the ongoing challenges in enforcing maritime regulations and the need for international cooperation. Additionally, discussions will include security guarantees for Israel regarding the Philadelphi corridor along the Gaza-Egypt border, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expresses concerns over potential weapon smuggling into Gaza. The outcome of these talks could have significant implications for both regional security and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.