Dictator Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would respond in kind to the seizure of Russian vessels by European Union countries. He issued the corresponding order to the Ministry of Defense. Putin called the actions of the European countries piracy and robbery. This was reported by Russian media, UNN writes.
Details
"We see that the authorities of some countries, violating international maritime law, are trying to restrict the movement of vessels belonging to our economic operators—peaceful ones, I want to emphasize. And recently, they came up with the possibility of seizing our vessels and selling the property looted from us," Putin stated.
Van emphasized that this would not necessarily be done in the waters where Russian vessels are seized, "but wherever we ourselves consider it necessary and appropriate, in any location, including in the area of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet."
Additional information
As part of the 21st package of sanctions against Russia, the European Union allowed bloc countries to sell Russian oil and petroleum products that they confiscated from vessels of the Russian Federation’s "shadow fleet." The EU’s new rules also allow grain confiscated from vessels to be put up for sale.