A Russian commercial ship monitored by the Irish Defence Forces off the western coast of Ireland in April 2023. Photograph: 105 Sqn/Irish Air CorpsProposals by Minister for Defence Helen McEntee for Defence Forces personnel to board sanctioned Russian vessels are “unacceptable” and would amount to “piracy”, Moscow’s ambassador to Ireland has said. Speaking on RTÉ’s Morning Ireland on Tuesday, McEntee said such a move is being considered as a “deterrent” following an increase in vessels transporting sanctioned Russian oil through Irish economic waters. McEntee said she is not suggesting Irish authorities seize the ships, as France and the US have done in recent months. In response, Moscow officials have suggesting deploying the Russian navy to protect the vessels from European seizures.

Source: The Irish Times February 18, 2026 12:23 UTC