Putin: Russia Will Respond if EU Countries Seize Russian Vessels
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Moscow would respond “in kind” if European Union countries seized Russian commercial vessels, warning that any Russian action would not necessarily be limited to the waters where a seizure took place.
Putin made the remarks during the final stages of Russian Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk, in the Sakhalin region of Russia’s Far East, according to reports citing Russia’s state-run TASS news agency.
“If this begins to be implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind,” Putin was quoted as saying.
The warning comes as European countries intensify measures against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet,” a term used for vessels suspected of helping Moscow circumvent Western restrictions on energy exports. European governments have sanctioned hundreds of vessels linked to shipments of Russian oil, while maritime authorities have increasingly considered or carried out boardings, detentions or other enforcement measures against ships suspected of evading sanctions.
Putin Calls Potential Seizures Illegal
Putin said Russia had observed efforts by authorities in some EU countries to restrict the movement of Russian commercial vessels, describing those efforts as a violation of international maritime law.
He added that some European countries had discussed seizing Russian vessels and selling their cargo or property. Putin described any such action as “nothing less than piracy and theft,” according to TASS.
Putin’s statement was conditional on seizures actually being carried out. The reports did not identify which Russian vessels could be subject to seizure, which EU countries might take such action or what specific measures Moscow could take in response.
Putin also did not specify what he meant by responding “in kind.” He said, however, that Russia would not necessarily act in the same waters where a vessel was seized.
Warning Extends Beyond Location of Seizure
“It will happen wherever we consider it necessary and appropriate,” Putin was quoted as saying. He added that this could include the Pacific region.
That aspect of the warning raises the possibility of a response across a broader geographic area than the site of a direct maritime incident involving a specific vessel. The reports provided no further details about potential Russian measures or identified any planned operation.
Putin made the remarks while attending Pacific Fleet exercises in Russia’s Far East. Separate reports said he also accused NATO of expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region and contributing to tensions in the Arctic. Those comments came alongside his warning over European actions against Russian commercial shipping.
Europe Steps Up Enforcement Against Oil Shipments
TRT World reported that EU countries and Britain had imposed sanctions on hundreds of vessels linked to shipments of Russian oil. It said European authorities had increasingly moved to board, detain or potentially seize vessels suspected of sanctions evasion.
According to TRT World, an EU naval mission boarded a Russia-linked tanker in the Mediterranean earlier this month. The broadcaster cited the incident as an example of expanding maritime enforcement that Moscow has described as illegal.
Türkiye Today reported that several European countries had intercepted vessels carrying Russian oil in violation of European sanctions. It said the sanctions target a significant source of revenue for Moscow.
The newspaper added that sanctions approved last month allow EU member states to sell oil or other cargo seized from vessels. The reports provided no further details on the scope of those measures or whether they had been used in a specific case involving a Russian commercial vessel.
European measures have focused on vessels linked to the transportation of Russian energy exports and ships suspected of helping circumvent sanctions. Moscow has objected to such enforcement, while Putin has described potential seizures as piracy and theft.
Dispute Over Maritime Sanctions Enforcement
Putin’s remarks add a direct Russian warning to an already tense dispute over sanctions enforcement at sea. European authorities are intensifying scrutiny of vessels linked to Russian oil exports, while Moscow disputes the legality of restrictions, vessel boardings and potential seizures involving its commercial ships.
The warning did not announce a new Russian policy or identify a specific target. Rather, Putin said Russia would respond if EU countries moved from restrictions and detentions to the seizure of Russian commercial vessels.
The nature, timing and location of any Russian response remain unspecified. Putin’s latest remarks, however, indicate that Moscow views the seizure of Russian vessels as a step that could prompt it to act beyond the immediate waters where any such incident occurs.
