Law of the Sea comes to life in the hunt for sanctioned Russian oil

Is the war entering a new phase? Until US President Donald Trump reversed the thrust of his sanctions policy of Russian oil on Friday, Ukraine's Western allies had been ramping up the use of international law. Countries sanctioning Russian oil have for the first time enforced boarding and inspection rights under the Law of the Sea this year, experts told Al Jazeera. Some Russian officials believe worse is to come. "Western countries are trying to organise the interception of our vessels. London and Brussels are drawing up plans to blockade the Baltic Sea and the straits leading into it. Other key shipping routes are also under threat," Russian Maritime Board chairman Nikolai Patrushev told officials during a visit to China on October 12.