Russian President Vladimir Putin used the final stage of Russia’s Pacific Fleet drills to outline Moscow’s security priorities in the Asia-Pacific, while warning that Russia could respond if its commercial vessels are seized abroad.
Speaking aboard the Guards missile cruiser Varyag, where he received a report from Commander of the Pacific Fleet Viktor Liina, Putin said Russia was strengthening its military presence in the region, citing growing tensions, NATO’s expanding activities and developments in the Arctic and the Northern Sea Route.
His comments come amid increased Western enforcement against Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet” of oil tankers used to transport crude despite sanctions. In recent months, authorities have seized or detained several vessels linked to the fleet, including the Marinera, seized by the United States in January, the Grinch, boarded and seized by France before its later release, and the Ethera, seized by Belgium in February.
More recently, an Italian-led EU naval mission boarded two Russia-linked tankers in the Mediterranean to verify compliance with EU sanctions, while the EU’s latest sanctions package allows member states to establish legal frameworks for selling cargo seized from sanctioned vessels.
Addressing the issue directly, Putin accused some countries of restricting Russian commercial shipping and warned that any seizure and sale of Russian vessels or property would amount to “piracy and plunder”. He said Russia would reciprocate if such actions occurred, adding that any response would not necessarily be limited to the same waters.
The Russian president also criticised Japan’s recent defence policy, reiterated Russia’s position on the Kuril Islands dispute, confirmed support for expanding the Pacific Fleet’s capabilities, and said Moscow remained prepared to cooperate with neighbouring countries, including Japan, where mutual interests could be respected.
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