Putin threatens to seize foreign ships in response to EU detentions of Russian oil tankers
Vladimir Putin promised a “mirror” response to detentions of Russian vessels by European Union member states, according to a report by the Interfax news agency. He made the remarks during a visit to the final stage of Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. “They recently came up with the possible seizure of our vessels and sale of property stolen from us,” Putin said. “Of course, this…
Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize foreign ships in retaliation for European Union detentions of Russian oil tankers, according to a report by Interfax. The Russian President made the comments during a visit to Pacific Fleet exercises in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk. Putin accused the EU of engaging in piracy and robbery when they detained Russian vessels, stating that such actions would be met with equivalent measures if they were to continue.
The threat of seizing foreign ships comes after the EU has periodically detained "shadow fleet" vessels in recent months, only to release them later. In June, the UK detained a Russian tanker in the English Channel for the first time, while Belgium fined an Iranian-owned tanker for carrying Russian oil. Putin has previously referred to Western actions against Russian ships as piracy, specifically mentioning the detention of the Boracay tanker by the French Navy in September last year.
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