Putin Warns of Retaliation After Western Countries Seize Russian Ships

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia will take retaliatory measures if Western countries continue to seize Russian ships.

Speaking during the final stage of the Russian Navy’s exercises in the Pacific Ocean on Wednesday, Putin said that some countries’ authorities were violating international maritime law by obstructing the movement of Russian economic entities’ ships and other peaceful vessels.

‘If they seize our ships, we will do the same,’ Putin said.

Putin’s comments come as European naval forces have increased surveillance, obstruction, and inspection of Russian ships under the so-called ‘shadow fleet’. This includes activities led by Italy in the Mediterranean Sea by the European Union (EU).

Last month, the EU imposed a ban on 41 more ‘shadow fleet’ ships from entering ports and introduced a requirement for Russia to provide information when selling tankers carrying liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Russia has been accused of using the ‘shadow fleet’ to circumvent Western sanctions imposed due to the Ukraine war. Western countries claim that these ships are used to transport Russian oil and other goods.

Putin also expressed his objections to the sanctions imposed by Japan on Russia, stating that tensions are rising in the Asia-Pacific region.

‘Unfortunately, we are seeing changes in the situation. These changes are not the result of any actions on our part,’ he said.