Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European vessels in response if European states implement plans to confiscate more commercial ships carrying Russian cargoes.
Putin made this warning on Wednesday while aboard a Russian cruiser near the Pacific island of Sakhalin, where the Russian navy was conducting exercises. According to him, Russia will be ready to seize vessels “wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate,” reported the Russian agency TASS.
This statement came after several European countries intercepted vessels that are allegedly part of the so-called Russian “shadow fleet,” which transported Russian oil in violation of European sanctions. New sanctions adopted last month allow members of the European Union to sell oil or any other cargo seized from these vessels.
Putin apparently referred to these sanctions, stating that some countries are trying to “restrict the movement of ships belonging to our economic operators” and recently “put forward the idea of possibly seizing our ships and selling off property stolen from us.”
“If these plans are implemented, we will have to respond in kind,” Putin said in comments carried by the Russian agency RIA Novosti, calling such steps “piracy and robbery.” He added that “appropriate instructions” had already been given to the Russian Ministry of Defense and the Pacific Fleet, which is responsible for Russia’s naval military interests in the Pacific Ocean.
Accusations against NATO and regional tensions
Putin also accused the NATO military alliance of advancing into the Asia-Pacific region and increasing tensions in the Arctic. “NATO is advancing into the region, new military-political blocs are being formed, new weapons systems that pose a threat to Russia are being deployed or planned for deployment,” the Russian leader stated.
Russia’s naval exercises in the western Pacific Ocean come a week before joint military exercises by the United States and South Korea, which aim to simulate a possible invasion by North Korea. Tensions in the region are high amid accusations from Kyiv and Seoul that Pyongyang and Moscow are further strengthening their military cooperation.
On Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of using North Korean missiles during a deadly airstrike on Ukraine. A day earlier, he warned that Moscow is receiving more ballistic missiles and military support from its ally Pyongyang, which, according to him, poses a danger not only to Ukraine but also to countries in East Asia.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has already sent thousands of military personnel and significant weapons supplies to support Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, which is in its fourth year.
Source: Al Jazeera
