Putin's ally talks about retaliation for seizure of ships

Russia could deploy its navy to prevent European countries from seizing Russian vessels and could take retaliatory measures against European shipping companies if such steps are taken. This was stated by Nikolai Patrushev, Kremlin adviser and chairman of the Russian Maritime Council.

Western countries are trying to restrict Russia's access to global trade and finance through more than 30,000 sanctions related to the war in Ukraine. These measures include efforts to block oil tankers suspected of transporting Russian oil.

In January, the United States seized a tanker flying the Russian flag as part of measures against Venezuelan oil exports. President Vladimir Putin has called such actions piracy.

"If we do not give them a firm rejection, soon the British, the French, and even the Baltic nations will become so arrogant that they will try to block our country's access to the sea, at least in the Atlantic basin," he warned.

"We believe that, as always, the best guarantee of safe navigation is the navy. Significant forces must be permanently deployed in key maritime areas, including regions far from Russia, forces capable of calming the passions of Western pirates," Patrushev added.

(reuters, max)