To the attention of:

Mr. David O’Sullivan,
EU Sanctions Envoy,
EU Commission

Copy :

• French Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Prefect of Finistère
• Ceclant Premar Atlantique
• Brest municipality
• Brest Maritime Festival
• Union des Ukrainiens de France
• Press

Dear Mr. O’Sullivan,

Just recently, the European Council probably thought it had put an end to the process of spurious rewriting of the 5th sanctions package by members of the French executive, in defiance of the separation of powers. But this was without taking into account the entrenchment of pro-Russian networks of influence operating, with impunity, within our country’s senior administration. It’s time for the Union’s decisions to stop being ridiculed by individuals who believe themselves to be above the law, or even claiming to dictate it. The credibility of European institutions depends on it. The No Shtandart In Europe collective is calling on the European Commission to crash the fraud perpetrated in the interest of the Russian vessel Shtandart by Didier Lallement, Secrétaire général de la mer (Secretary General for the Sea).

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1. European Council: « including replicas of historical ships ».
2. Didier Lallement (SGMer): « In our eyes, there isn’t really a subject ».
   1. « We consider that… »
   2. « …the Shtandart is not concerned by the sanctions packages adopted against Russia. Nor by the fourteenth and final one, adopted on Monday (24/06/2024). »
   3. « It has never been linked to a direct Russian interest… »
   4. « …or owned by a Russian oligarch, in the sense understood by the European regulation. « 
   5. « Furthermore, this boat is now owned by a Finnish national… »
   6. « …and is now registered under the Cook Islands flag. »
3. Only the European Commission can put an end to the Lallement-Shtandart fraud.
4. Exihibit 1: English version of Le Télégramme’s article
5. Exihibit 2: Article du Télégramme en français

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European Council: « including replicas of historical ships ».

The amendment to EU Regulation N°833/2014 published on June 24, 2024 by the European Council is very clear in confirming that « replicas of historic ships » are indeed included in the scope of the 5th package of sanctions as formalized in Article 3ea of the same regulation.

7) Article 3ea is amended as follows:
…
b) in paragraph 3, point (a) is replaced by the following:
« (a) a ship falling within the scope of the relevant international conventions, including replicas of historical ships; »
…

COUNCIL REGULATION (EU) 2024/1745 of 24 June 2024 amending Regulation (EU) No 833/2014 concerning restrictive measures in view of Russia’s actions destabilising the situation in Ukraine.
https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reg/2024/1745/oj?locale=en

As the Shtandart is the only problematic Russian vessel in this very specific field, any reader understands that it is officially and explicitly designated by the Council’s decision. However, in France, in view of this amendment, Didier Lallement, Secretary General for the Sea (SGMer), persists in his support for the Russian vessel’s fraud. On June 25, 2024, he confirmed to Le Télégramme newspaper that he had instructed departmental (county) prefects and port authorities to receive the Shtandart. You will find, below, in English, a translation of this article.

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Didier Lallement (SGMer): « In our eyes, there isn’t really a subject ».

To justify this collaborationist engagement with a representative of the Russian regime, Didier Lallement launched into an endeavour of disinformation worthy of RT and Sputnik. « We consider that the Shtandart is not concerned by the sanctions packages adopted against Russia. Nor by the fourteenth and final one, adopted on Monday (24/06/2024). It has never been linked to a direct Russian interest, or owned by a Russian oligarch, in the sense understood by the European regulation. Furthermore, this boat is now owned by a Finnish national and is now registered under the Cook Islands flag. » Let’s look in detail at how SGMer’s statements are false or dishonest and intended to create confusion.

« We consider that… »

Didier Lallement’s considerations are ill-timed, even indecent. As a clerk to the executive, his role is to apply the law, period. Especially as a European regulation is not a directive. It must be implemented immediately, unchanged and identically in all EU countries. France is not Russia, whatever the tropism, assumed or repressed, of this ex-Prefect of the Paris police.

« …the Shtandart is not concerned by the sanctions packages adopted against Russia. Nor by the fourteenth and final one, adopted on Monday (24/06/2024).« 

False. The European text of 24/06/2024 clearly states: « including replicas of historical vessels », a qualifier which the Shtandart’s supporters and clients, as well as the French administration, have used for over two years to « justify » circumventing the sanctions.

« The frigate Shtandart (Russian: Штандартъ) is a modern replica of the first ship of Russia’s Baltic fleet, was launched in 1703 at the Olonetsky shipyard near Olonets by the decree of Tsar Peter I… »

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shtandart_(frigate,_1999)

« It has never been linked to a direct Russian interest… »

False. Laetita Jacq-Galdeano of the newspaper Ouest-France, after an in-depth investigation lasting several weeks, has demonstrated and documented the close links of Vladimir Martus, captain-« owner » of the Shtandart with the Russian regime, including, in particular, Sergei Shoigu and Vladimir Putin, both of whom are the subject of ICC arrest warrants for war crimes and even crimes against humanity. Didier Lallement can no longer pretend to be unaware of this information. See articles (Fr): https://www.ouest-france.fr/mer/opposant-ou-propagandiste-de-poutine-qui-est-le-capitaine-du-shtandart-invite-en-bretagne-ff4ab5ec-ec59-11ee-9706-81db63ab310d and https://www.ouest-france.fr/mer/le-navire-russe-shtandart-autorise-a-samarrer-dans-les-ports-de-france-embarrasse-ses-protecteurs-1db9833c-eacf-11ee-8ca7-88a8f06f54df

« …or owned by a Russian oligarch, in the sense understood by the European regulation. « 

A deliberate lie designed to mislead the media and the citizens of our country. Indeed, while the very first parts of the sanctions targeted the property of individuals, organizations or the Russian state, the fifth part concerns « ALL vessels registered under the Russian flag (as of 24/02/2022)« , regardless of ownership. See the chronology of sanctions: https://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/policies/sanctions-against-russia/timeline-sanctions-against-russia/

« Furthermore, this boat is now owned by a Finnish national… »

Poppycock. Assuming this allegation is true, it’s a smokescreen for disinformation purposes. The 5th round of sanctions, as indicated above, makes no distinction according to the type or nationality of the owner. We note, however, that for over two years, until June 24, 2024, the Shtandart’s proxies and customers, as well as the French administration, referred to the Shtandart as an « associative vessel » to « justify » circumventing the sanctions. SGMer contradicts itself and proves us right by confirming that the Shtandart is a private vessel, as we have consistently demonstrated since the beginning of this case.

« …and is now registered under the Cook Islands flag. »

Doubtful. According to Marine Traffic and the Shtandart’s AIS sheet, it would still be under Russian flag on 27/06/2024. https://www.marinetraffic.com/fr/ais/details/ships/shipid:350830/mmsi:273452840/imo:0/vessel:SHTANDART
In any case, this sleight of hand, oral or even real, cannot authorize the Shtandart to be excluded from the scope of sanctions, as stated in paragraph 2 of Article 3ea of EU Regulation N° 833/2014.

2. Paragraph 1 (prohibition) shall apply to vessels that have changed their Russian flag or their registration, to the flag or register of any other State after 24 February 2022.

https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/EN/TXT/?uri=CELEX%3A02014R0833-20240224

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Only the European Commission can put an end to the Lallement-Shtandart fraud.

You are, Dear Mr. O’Sullivan, regularly informed of the work we have been carrying out for over two years to apply the 5th part of the sanctions, i.e. Article 3ea of EU Regulation N°833/2014. Today, we absolutely need the help of your team to force the French state to comply with European regulations.

1. Didier Lallement’s illegal order to the prefects and port authorities must be overturned by a higher authority.
2. Departmental prefects and directors of major seaports (Grands ports maritimes) must be informed individually by the Commission that it is their responsibility to apply port sanctions, whatever the intoxications, pressures, promises of promotion or blackmail to which they may be subjected by pro-Shtandart and/or pro-Russian networks, particularly on the part of SGMer.
3. Criminal proceedings must be initiated, in accordance with the Council’s decisions (28/11/2022, 09/06/2023, 12/12/2023, 12/04/2024), against Didier Lallement, who has encouraged the Shtandart fraud, since October 3, 2022, when he took up his post as SGMer. The organizations and/or municipalities that have used the Shtandart’s illegal services, first and foremost the city of La Rochelle, will also have to answer to the courts.
4. The funds received by Vladimir Martus on the accounts of his company Martus TV GmbH, domiciled in Hamburg, in remuneration for the illegal services of the Shtandart in French maritime events, must be seized (EU Council 09/06/2023).

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The case is urgent. A major Shtandart commercial event is scheduled to take place in Brest from July 12 to 17. This is France’s biggest maritime festival for 2024.

Because of the negligence, even compromise, of the highest French authorities, the European Commission is the last resort of our collective for the respect of the rule of law in our country subjected to Russian interference. We need your support and prompt, determined action. Thank you in advance.

Dear Mr. O’Sullivan, if necessary, I am at your team’s disposal to provide it with the voluminous and organized documentation we have collected on the Shtandart fraud and its accomplices.

Yours sincerely,

Bernard Grua

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Exihibit 1: English version of Le Télégramme’s article

Le Télégramme -Brest maritime festival : this Russian ship that makes waves -26/06/2024

The Shtandart is definitely a sulphurous boat. Just as the Fêtes maritimes de Brest announced that everything was in place for the arrival of the ship, which recently flew the Russian flag, the “No Shtandart in Europe” collective rose up in protest, claiming that the formalization was illegal.

THE FRENCH AUTHORITIES GET INVOLVED

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Interview by P. B.

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•For the first time, the French authorities, via the Secrétariat Général dela Mer, have taken a position on the question of allowing the Shtandart into ports.

What is the position of the French authorities on the Shtandart, a replica of the Russian frigate of Tsar Peter the Great?

As far as we’re concerned, there’s no real issue. We consider that the Shtandart is not affected by the sanctions packages adopted against Russia. Nor by the fourteenth and final one, adopted on Monday. It has never been linked to a direct Russian interest, or owned by a Russian oligarch, in the sense understood by the European regulation. What’s more, the boat is now owned by a Finnish national (editor’s note: the wife of the captain to whom he sold it) and is now registered under the flag of the Cook Islands.

You did ask it to change its country of registration, didn’t you?

We did so to ease any tensions that might exist around the ship, and to prevent its Russian registration from becoming a pretext for further unrest. We take a rather positive view of this ship — we think it does a lot of good for the country’s various maritime festivals — and we’ve seen it take a stand and proselytize against Russia. When we feel that a boat is affected by European sanctions, we don’t hesitate to apply them. Nine Russian ships or yachts have been blocked by customs in French ports.

Has this decision been officially notified?

After the Shtandart was re-flagged, an e-mail was sent to the maritime prefectures so that this decision could also be passed on to the department (county) prefectures and port authorities. However, if there is a risk of disturbance to public order, these authorities are fully competent to impose bans.

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Steven Le Roy, Paul Bohec

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• The new flag of the Cook Islands now flown by the Shtandart, an exact replica of the frigate of Tsar Peter the Great, should have been the safe-conduct allowing it to dock during the Fêtes maritimes de Brest, from July 12 to 17. The recent abandonment of the Russian flag in favor of that of a confetti state in the Pacific has made the organizers of the festival, who knew that ships flying the Russian flag were banned from docking in Europe, breathe a sigh of relief. On Monday, they were able to formalize the arrival of one of the event’s attractions. All the more so as the Shtandart, which is not authorized to carry tourists and passengers, is to remain docked during the six-day event. It will be one of the eight boats open to the public, the one that Fêtes Nautiques president, Fortuné Pellicano, said in the spring would “welcome with pleasure”.

A ship above suspicion?

He (Fortuné Pellicano) pointed to the impeccable reputation of the Russian captain, Vladimir Martus, the fact that the boat had never been to St. Petersburg since the Russian offensive in Ukraine, and its uninterrupted presence on the quays since the 2000 edition. All that remained was the authorization of the French government, which gave the green light on Sunday. Vladimir Putin’s shadow seemed to have disappeared.

European regulation seems clear

Bernard Grua, spokesman for the “No Shtandart in Europe” collective of whistle-blowers, is angry against this decision: “We are still in a state of law, and the European Union has just promulgated a regulation that strictly prohibits the arrival of Shtandart in Brest and elsewhere”. To demonstrate this, he refers to several European regulations that oblige member states to go beyond their own legislation. The first dates back to 2014, and carries the first restrictions with Putin’s Russia, to the first sounds of the boot in Crimea. Repeatedly tightened, especially since the start of the war in Ukraine, the unanimously adopted regulation has extended its bans on Russian ships entering ports, and even to those “which have changed their Russian flag or registration number to the flag or registration number of any other state after February 24, 2022” The latest amendment to this regulation dates from Monday. A new article states that “a vessel belonging to the replicas of historic vessels” is part of the prohibited fleet. “As if this little text only applied to the Shtandart”, Bernard Grua almost smiles.

The relieved captain

But what about practicality? It has recently been seen at maritime gatherings in La Rochelle (Charente- Maritime) or Fécamp (Seine-Maritime), and seems welcome in Brest, despite its May 31 stopover having been banned by the prefecture. A peaceful vessel for its defenders, starting with its captain, Vladimir Martus:

“I was certain that justice would prevail and that the Shtandart would take part in the Brest festival, as it has done since 2000, and as I have done since 1992. The very positive aspect is that there is now no reason for certain people to spread false information and lies about those who have supported Shtandart for all these years.”

Elected representatives rebuked

Bernard Grua goes against the grain.

“It’s the perfect symbol of Russian imperialism. In fact, the real flag on board is that of Peter the Great, who built the Russian empire that Putin is seeking to rebuild”.

The whistle-blowers track the ship at every port of call. They have repeatedly succeeded in having it driven away from Spanish ports, but less so from French ones. “Sanctions are foreseen, and the responsibility of mayors, prefects and managers of major ports is heavy. They often reply that there are Ukrainians on board to clear their names, but in reality, there’s only one woman”, says Bernard Grua. He saves his Parte arrow for the elected representatives of Brest. “I asked for an interview. I didn’t get a reply. They could have assumed their responsibilities, acted like big boys and said no from the outset, as they often complain about Parisian oukase. But they made the other choice.”

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Exihibit 2: Article du Télégramme en français