Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday threatened to seize ships belonging to European countries in retaliation for plans to sell off cargo seized from Russian “shadow fleet” vessels.
Several European countries have intercepted ships carrying Russian oil in contravention of European sanctions targeting the vital revenue source. New sanctions passed last month permit EU members to sell the oil or any other cargo seized from the ships.
Moscow has bristled at the moves, with Putin calling it “piracy and banditry”. “We will be forced to respond in kind,” the Kremlin chief said while overseeing naval drills in Russia‘s Far East.
Moscow would act “wherever we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate — anywhere,” he added.
The confrontation between Russia and European countries over the “shadow fleet” has intensified as Western nations tighten measures aimed at limiting Moscow’s ability to finance its war in Ukraine.
Putin’s threat to retaliate comes at a time when European countries are seeking to intensify monitoring of ships linked to the shadow fleet, raising the risk that sanctions measures could escalate into a direct naval confrontation between Russia and Western countries. (AFP/EIR)
