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Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to retaliate against European countries over plans to sell cargo seized from Russian “shadow fleet” vessels.
Putin said on Wednesday while overseeing Russian naval exercises in the Far East that “we will be forced to respond in kind.”
He added that Moscow would act “wherever we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate, anywhere.”
Putin has condemned the move as “piracy and banditry”, warning that Russia would respond.
Several European countries have intercepted ships accused of carrying Russian oil in violation of sanctions targeting Moscow’s key source of revenue.
New European Union sanctions adopted last month allow member states to sell oil and other cargo seized from the vessels.
Putin’s comments came after Sweden confirmed plans to transfer a seized Russian ship to Ukraine.
Swedish court documents obtained by AFP earlier in August showed that the vessel, suspected of carrying grain from occupied Ukrainian territory, would be handed over to Kyiv.
Putin made the remarks aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag near Sakhalin, where Russia’s navy was conducting military drills.
The exercises are taking place a week before planned US-South Korean military exercises designed to simulate a possible North Korean invasion.
Tensions remain high in the region, with Ukraine and South Korea accusing Russia and North Korea of deepening military cooperation.
