Putin warns Russia will seize EU vessels if bloc targets its ships

Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Moscow will respond in kind if European nations begin seizing Russian merchant vessels, escalating a standoff over maritime sanctions enforcement.

Speaking on Wednesday while overseeing naval drills in Russia's far east, Putin described recent European actions against Russian ships as "nothing less than piracy and robbery." He said Russia would be forced to retaliate if such measures were implemented, adding that the response could come "wherever we ourselves deem it necessary and appropriate."

The remarks come as the European Union intensifies pressure on what it calls Russia's "shadow fleet" — vessels allegedly used to evade sanctions. The bloc has expanded sanctions against hundreds of ships and detained some vessels and crews for inspections. Several European governments have also said they are exploring tougher maritime enforcement measures.

During the same briefing, the commander of Russia's Pacific Fleet, Viktor Liina, told Putin that his forces were ready to "inspect and detain" vessels belonging to unfriendly states. Liina argued that Western countries, including Britain and France, also use third-country flagged vessels for cargo transport, which he said constituted their own shadow fleet.

Liina said his fleet had conducted a detailed analysis of maritime traffic in the Asia-Pacific region, including routes, cargo, and vessel ownership.

Putin also accused NATO of threatening behaviour in the Asia-Pacific and of creating tension in the Arctic. He said the "potential for conflict is growing" in the region, citing new military-political blocs and planned weapons deployments that he said posed a threat to Russia.