Diplomacy & Geopolitics
Putin threatens European ship seizures over cargo sales
Russian President Vladimir Putin threatened on Wednesday to seize ships belonging to European countries in retaliation for plans to sell cargo seized from Russian “shadow fleet” vessels.
Putin called the European moves “piracy and banditry” and said: “We will be forced to respond in kind.” Speaking while overseeing naval drills in Russia’s Far East, he said Moscow would act “wherever we ourselves deem necessary and appropriate -- anywhere.”
New sanctions passed last month permit EU members to sell oil or other cargo seized from the ships. Moscow has opposed the measures, which target Russian oil revenue.
Swedish court documents obtained by AFP earlier in August showed Stockholm will transfer to Kyiv a seized Russian ship suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukraine.
Putin was speaking aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag off the island of Sakhalin, where Russia’s navy was conducting drills.
Update
European plans are described as selling cargo seized from Russian shadow fleet vessels.
New sanctions passed last month permit EU members to sell oil or other cargo seized from the ships.
Swedish court documents obtained by AFP showed Stockholm will transfer to Kyiv a seized Russian ship suspected of transporting grain from occupied Ukraine.
Putin spoke aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag off Sakhalin during naval drills.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 08:27:39 UTC.
Update
Putin said Russia could seize ships belonging to European countries.
He framed the threat as retaliation for plans to intercept and seize Russian vessels suspected of being part of Moscow's "shadow fleet".
Putin made the remarks while overseeing naval drills in Russia's Far East.
Putin said Russia would respond "in kind" and act wherever Moscow deemed necessary and appropriate.
Source note: AFP news report published on 12 August 2026 at 08:10:04 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
Which European ships Russia might target, and when, remains unclear.
Whether Russia will carry out any retaliatory seizures is unresolved.
Source
AFP news report published on .