Putin threatens retaliatory seizures of European ships

MOSCOW - Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a stern warning on Wednesday, threatening to seize ships belonging to European nations in response to sanctioned sales of cargo intercepted from Russian vessels. Several European companies have intercepted ships carrying Russian oil, acting against European sanctions targeting the valuable revenue source.

New sanctions enacted last month enable EU members to sell seized oil or cargo from the ships. Russian authorities have vehemently opposed these actions, with Putin labeling them as "piracy and banditry." Speaking while overseeing naval drills in Russia's Far East, Putin declared that Moscow would respond in kind, acting "anywhere we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate."

Sweden's court documents revealed that Stockholm intends to transfer a seized Russian ship, suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukraine, to Ukraine. The Russian president delivered his remarks aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag, situated off Sakhalin Island, where Russia's navy was conducting drills. These exercises take place a week before joint US-South Korean war games, designed to simulate a potential invasion from North Korea.

Tensions in the region have escalated due to accusations from Kyiv and Seoul that Moscow and Pyongyang are deepening their military cooperation.