Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday that Russia will respond in kind if European countries start to seize Russian merchant vessels and the commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet said his forces were ready
to “inspect and detain” foreign vessels.
The comments, which Putin made as he oversaw navy drills in Russia’s far east, come as the EU intensifies pressure on Russia’s so-called shadow fleet, expanding sanctions against hundreds of vessels and detaining some ships and their crews for
checks. Some European governments have said they are exploring tougher maritime enforcement measures against ships suspected of sanctions evasion.
“We can see that the authorities of certain countries, in violation of international maritime law, are attempting to restrict the movement of our economic operators vessels…, and have recently gone so far as to consider the possibility of seizing our vessels and selling off the property they have plundered from us,” said Putin.
“Naturally, this is nothing less than piracy and robbery. And if this begins to be put into practice, we shall be forced to respond in kind. And not necessarily in those waters where raids on our ships and vessels are planned, but wherever we ourselves
deem it necessary and appropriate.”
Viktor Liina, commander of Russia’s Pacific Fleet, told Putin that what he described as hostile countries like Britain and France also transported goods on vessels flying flags of convenience which – if the EU and Britain’s own language was used – could also be described as a “shadow fleet.”
“Western states are actively using vessels flying the flags of third countries to transport cargo in their own interests. In essence, this constitutes their shadow fleet,” Liina told Putin.
“We have the capabilities to inspect and detain vessels belonging to unfriendly states and their shadow fleet; inter-agency coordination is in place, and we are ready to tackle these tasks.”
He said his fleet had carried out a detailed analysis of maritime traffic in the Asia-Pacific region and knew the routes, the cargo, and ownership of the vessels. Putin also accused NATO of threatening behavior in the Asia-Pacific region, and of creating tension in the Arctic.
“We can see that, unfortunately, the potential for conflict is growing here; NATO is making inroads here; new military-political blocs are being formed; and new weapons systems are being deployed here, or are planned for deployment,
which also pose a threat to our country,” said Putin.
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Canada, U.S. shadow Chinese research ships in the Arctic as concern grows over Snow Dragons’ presence, Eye on the Arctic
Denmark: Denmark to provide four F-35 fighter jets to NATO’s Arctic Sentry, Reuters
Finland: Greenland clash left a mark on EU-US relations says Finnish PM, Yle News
Greenland: New Italy Arctic policy adds U.S. Greenland ambitions to growing Arctic competition narrative, Eye on the Arctic
Iceland: NATO chief to Arctic Allies: “We’re all frontline states now,” as Iceland’s role grows, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Europeans step up submarine hunting in the North, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russia claims first-ever North Pole aerial refuelling, TASS reports, Reuters
Sweden: Swedish military intelligence on the great power rivalry over Greenland, Radio Sweden
United States: U.S. Coast Guard Operation Frontier Sentinel already underway when Chinese ships arrvied in Bering Sea, CBC News
