MOSCOW: Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow would retaliate if European countries seize Russian commercial ships, describing such action as “piracy and robbery”.
Putin made the comments as the European Union intensify measures against the Russian fleet. “We will be forced to respond in kind,” Putin said, according to the TASS state news agency.
He said any Russian response would not necessarily be limited to the waters where Russian vessels were seized.
“We will not necessarily act in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are being planned, but wherever we ourselves consider it necessary and appropriate,” Putin said during a meeting with Pacific Fleet personnel aboard the missile cruiser Varyag.
“Anywhere, including in the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility,” the Russian President added, according to TASS.
The warning follows tougher European measures targeting vessels suspected of transporting Russian oil in breach of sanctions.
The European Union adopted a mechanism in July, as part of its 21st package of sanctions against Russia, allowing member states to confiscate and sell Russian oil carried aboard shadow fleet vessels attempting to evade the bloc’s restrictions. The measure also covers grain cargoes.
Some European governments have also been exploring tougher maritime enforcement measures against ships suspected of sanctions evasion, according to Reuters.
Putin accused European authorities of seeking to restrict the movement of vessels operated by Russian businesses in violation of international maritime law.
“We see the authorities of certain countries attempting, in violation of international maritime law, to restrict the movement of vessels operated by our businesses,” he said.
He said European authorities had gone further by considering the seizure of Russian vessels and the sale of their cargoes or property.
“This is, of course, nothing other than piracy and robbery,” Putin said.
Putin said Russia’s Defence Ministry had already been instructed to prepare a response.
