The United States rejected Canada's proposal to create a special group to address the shadow fleet helping Russia circumvent the oil price cap, according to sources cited by Bloomberg.
Canada, currently presiding over the G7, proposed this measure ahead of the meeting of foreign ministers in Quebec at the end of the upcoming week.
During negotiations on the joint statement on maritime issues, the US insists on strengthening wording regarding China and softening wording regarding Russia. The US sought to exclude the word 'sanctions' and the phrase 'Russia's ability to sustain its war' in Ukraine, replacing it with 'generate revenue'. American diplomats informed their G7 colleagues that this step is due to a 'reassessment by Washington of its position in multilateral organizations, resulting in its inability to join any new initiatives', writes Bloomberg.
The G7 communiqué is not final until it is published based on consensus. Further negotiations may lead to changes in the summit's final statement.
Despite the significantly altered US position, European countries are discussing plans that would allow them to seize Moscow's oil-exporting tankers in the Baltic Sea. Proposals include using international law to take control of vessels for environmental reasons or under anti-piracy legislation.