Putin warns of retaliation if EU seizes Russian ships

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned on Wednesday that Moscow would retaliate in kind if European countries seize Russian merchant vessels, describing the proposed measures as piracy and robbery. Speaking during a visit to Russia's Pacific Fleet, Putin said any Russian response would not be limited to the waters where Russian ships were seized but could occur wherever Moscow deems necessary and appropriate.

The warning comes as the European Union intensifies pressure on Russia's so-called shadow fleet, a network of hundreds of aging vessels used to circumvent international sanctions imposed after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. The EU has expanded sanctions against hundreds of these ships and has authorized member states to confiscate and sell Russian oil and grain carried aboard them. Several European governments have detained ships and their crews for checks, with France and the United Kingdom intercepting tankers suspected of carrying Russian oil in violation of sanctions.

Putin made the remarks while meeting with Pacific Fleet personnel aboard the missile cruiser Varyag near Russia's far eastern island of Sakhalin. He accused Western authorities of...