Putin Warns Europe: Russia Will Respond to Vessel Seizures
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Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to take European ships in an act of revenge if EU countries seize Russian merchant boats and cargoes. He described the planned seizures of Russian ‘shadow fleet’ ships as ‘piracy and banditry.’
Putin said Russia would reply ‘in kind’ and warned that any retaliation might occur ‘wherever we deem it necessary,’ not just in European waters.
The warning comes as European countries speed up their attempts to combat Russia's so-called shadow fleet, which is accused of assisting Moscow in evading sanctions and continuing to export oil. New EU rules enable member states to sell cargo confiscated from such vessels.
Putin's remarks, which occurred during Russian naval drills in the Far East, raised tensions over maritime trade and sanctions between Moscow and Europe.
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