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Putin warns of tit-for-tat seizures of European vessels
Al Jazeera • • world
Key Points:
- Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European vessels if European countries proceed with plans to confiscate commercial ships carrying Russian cargo, labeling such actions as "piracy and robbery."
- The warning follows recent European interceptions of ships suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of EU sanctions, which now allow seized cargo to be sold by member states.
- Putin stated that Russia’s Ministry of Defence and Pacific Fleet have been instructed to respond appropriately, signaling potential retaliatory seizures of European vessels.
- He also accused NATO of expanding its military presence in the Asia Pacific and Arctic regions, heightening tensions amid ongoing Russian naval exercises near the Pacific island of Sakhalin.
- The tensions coincide with concerns over increasing military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, including allegations that Moscow is receiving ballistic missiles and troops from Pyongyang to support its invasion of Ukraine.
