Foreign Policy > Europe

Europe Takes on the Shadow Fleet

Critics once warned that Trump’s style would isolate America and embolden adversaries. Instead, it has become a model. 

Monty Donohew | March 3, 2026

In the early hours of March 1, 2026, Belgian special forces, backed by French Navy helicopters, boarded and seized the oil tanker Ethera in the North Sea. The vessel, flying a false Guinea flag and carrying falsified documents, was escorted to the Belgian port of Zeebrugge for inspection and seizure. The operation, dubbed “Blue Intruder,” targeted a key asset in Russia’s “shadow fleet,” the fleet of aging, often uninsured tankers that Moscow uses to evade Western sanctions and continue exporting oil to fund its war in Ukraine.

Belgian defense minister Theo Francken hailed the raid as evidence of a military resurgence after years of neglect. Sounding very much like Pete Hegseth or Donald Trump, he posted on X: 

"Our army was treated with too much ridicule and pity for too long. Due to decades of budget cuts, inadequate societal recognition, a poor self-image, negative image-framing like that of Xavier Waterslaegers, and too passive and risk-averse leadership, I inherited a department lacking in self-respect and pride. I swore to myself that I would turn that tide. Our armed forces would become strong and proud again. Respect is earned by demanding respect. Nothing in life comes for free. You have to work your ass off for everything. Tonight’s operation shows what we’re capable of again. It proves that our armed forces and our soldiers deserve respect from the population. And we will get it too. This is just the beginning. Semper fi."Advertisement if(page_width_onload

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