The government granted permission for Russian navy vessel to enter Malta – then withdrew it

As this note verbal shows clearly, on 20th October the government gave diplomatic clearance for a Russian naval vessel to enter Malta. The ship in question is what is known as a ‘replenishment vessel’ – a fuel tanker used by other vessels to refuel out at sea.

The replenishment vessel would have filled up in Malta then sailed back out to refuel other vessels of the Russian Navy, avoiding all the palaver and scrutiny of obtaining clearance for the entire flotilla to refuel directly in Malta (or elsewhere).

I am informed – though I do not have any documentary evidence – that this diplomatic clearance, issued a week ago, has since been withdrawn.