Putin warns Europe over ship seizures
Russian President Vladimir Putin warned that Moscow would retaliate if European countries begin seizing Russian merchant ships. He said Russia would respond in kind and suggested any countermeasure could occur beyond the waters where Russian vessels are detained.
The warning comes as the European Union steps up pressure on Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a network of ships suspected of helping Moscow bypass sanctions on crude oil exports. The bloc has widened sanctions to cover hundreds of vessels, and some European states have already detained ships and crews for inspection.
Key Events
- Putin warned that Russia would respond if European nations confiscate Russian merchant ships.
- He described any impounding of Russian vessels as piracy and banditry.
- He said Russian retaliation would not be limited to the same waters where Russian ships were stopped.
- The warning followed stepped-up EU efforts against Russia's shadow fleet.
- The EU has broadened sanctions to include hundreds of vessels and some European states have detained ships and crews for inspection.