Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to retaliate against European countries over plans to sell cargo seized from vessels accused of being part of Russia’s “shadow fleet”.
Putin issued the warning on Wednesday while overseeing Russian naval exercises in the Far East, saying Moscow would be “forced to respond in kind” if European countries went ahead with the seizures and sales.
He said Russia would respond “wherever we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate, anywhere”.
Putin has described the European measures as “piracy and banditry”, warning that Moscow could seize European vessels in retaliation.
Several European countries have intercepted ships suspected of transporting Russian oil in violation of sanctions imposed on Moscow, targeting a key source of revenue for the Russian government.
New European Union sanctions adopted last month allow member states to sell oil and other cargo seized from the vessels.
Putin’s latest threat followed Sweden’s confirmation of plans to transfer a seized Russian vessel to Ukraine.
Swedish court documents obtained by AFP earlier in August showed that the vessel, suspected of carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territory, would be handed over to Kyiv.
Putin made the remarks aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag near Sakhalin, where the Russian Navy is conducting military exercises.
The drills are taking place about a week before planned US-South Korean military exercises aimed at simulating a possible North Korean invasion.
Tensions remain high in the region, with Ukraine and South Korea accusing Russia and North Korea of deepening military cooperation.
