Putin Warns of Retaliation Against Seizure of Russian Commercial Vessels
According to the International Desk of Webangah News Agency, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned on Wednesday that Russia would retaliate against any efforts to confiscate its merchant ships, citing actions by some nations that he characterized as piracy. Speaking during the culmination of the Russian Pacific Fleet exercises, Putin stated that authorities in some countries are attempting to restrict the movement of Russian economic actors’ vessels, specifically non-military ships, in contravention of international maritime law. He added that recent discussions have even touched upon the possibility of seizing Russian ships and selling plundered assets. “Obviously, this is nothing but piracy and brigandage,” Putin declared. “If this is implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in kind.” He emphasized that Moscow would take such action in any maritime zone, including the Pacific Ocean, where the potential for conflict is escalating due to Western actions. Putin noted NATO’s increased presence in the region, the formation of new military-political blocs, and the deployment or planned deployment of new weapons systems that pose a threat to Russia.
The Russian President asserted that his country poses no threat to Japan and has no territorial claims against it. He contrasted this with Japan’s recent doctrinal documents, which for the first time list Moscow as a primary threat. Putin also recalled Japan’s imposition of sanctions against Russia concerning the Ukraine conflict, without addressing the root causes of the dispute. He stated, “We would like to understand Japan’s position, which was also mentioned during the report of the Commander of the Pacific Fleet; our neighbor, a country that imposed sanctions against Russia on the pretext of the events in Ukraine and without addressing the root causes of this conflict, against which we took no provocative action.” Russia, he added, is prepared for cooperation in the Arctic region, including along the Northern Sea Route, within the framework of international law.
Putin further reiterated that the Pacific Fleet exercises are essential for maintaining the fleet’s combat readiness and ensuring national security, and that the fleet’s forces are fully fulfilling their assigned tasks. Addressing sailors aboard the cruiser Varyag, he said that such exercises are crucial for preserving the fleet’s combat readiness, protecting Russia’s interests and security in the Asia-Pacific region, and enhancing Russia’s overall military presence there. This, he specified, should be conducted with consideration for the experience gained from the special operation. He confirmed that the fleet is fully capable of performing its duties within its area of responsibility, which are gaining increasing importance given the evolving situation in the region. The Russian President reiterated that the probability of conflict in the Asia-Pacific region is increasing with the influence of NATO forces, and that new weapons systems are being deployed or planned for deployment there, posing a threat to Russia.
Putin indicated that directives would be issued concerning the development of the Pacific Fleet. The Russian President observed the final stage of the drills from the deck of the missile cruiser Varyag. He was seen wearing a dark blue military uniform, standard for Russian naval officers, bearing the insignia of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. The exercises, focused on defending Russia’s maritime borders, islands, and coastal areas in the Far East, commenced on August 4th and represent the Pacific Fleet’s most significant operational and combat readiness event of the year.
