Putin warns Russia may seize European ships in response to planned seizures

President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Russia is prepared to seize European vessels if EU members proceed with plans to confiscate ships carrying Russian cargo. Speaking from a Russian cruiser near Sakhalin during a naval drill, he said the measures would be taken “wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate,” according to the state news agency TASS.

The remarks follow recent EU actions to intercept vessels suspected of belonging to Russia’s “shadow fleet,” which transports oil in violation of sanctions. New EU rules allow member states to sell seized oil or other cargo. Putin said some countries are trying to “restrict the movement of vessels belonging to our economic operators” and have proposed “seizing our ships and selling off property stolen from us.”

“If these plans are put into practice, we will have to respond in kind,” Putin told RIA Novosti, calling the proposed seizures “piracy and robbery.”

He added that instructions have already been given to Russia’s Ministry of Defence and the Pacific Fleet. Putin also accused NATO of expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific and deploying new weapons systems that threaten Russia.

The comments come as Russia conducts naval exercises in the West Pacific, a week before joint U.S.–South Korean war games, and amid heightened tensions over alleged Russian-North Korean military cooperation.