Putin threatens EU with 'mirror' response to fight against Russian 'shadow fleet'

Vladimir Putin called European Union measures against the Russian 'shadow fleet' 'piracy and robbery' and threatened to respond by detaining commercial vessels of other states.

He said this on August 12 during the final stage of exercises of the Russian Pacific Fleet aboard the missile cruiser 'Varyag'.

Putin complained that authorities of some European states are allegedly trying to restrict the movement of ships of Russian operators and have also gained the ability to confiscate their cargo. At the same time, he cynically accused the EU of violating international maritime law.

"If this begins to be implemented in practice, we will be forced to respond in a mirror-like manner", Putin said.

According to him, Russia may resort to such actions not only in those waters where vessels connected with it will be detained. The commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, Viktor Liina, stated that the fleet has the forces to inspect and detain commercial vessels of so-called unfriendly states in its area of responsibility.

The threats came after the EU stepped up its fight against the Russian 'shadow fleet', which Moscow uses to circumvent sanctions, export oil, and finance the war against Ukraine.

Under the IRINI naval operation, European forces have gained the ability to detain and inspect in the Mediterranean Sea foreign vessels that the EU considers part of the Russian 'shadow fleet'.

Moreover, the 21st sanctions package provides for the possibility of confiscation and subsequent sale of Russian oil or grain from detained vessels if the cargo was transported in violation of the restrictions. This applies specifically to ships involved in circumventing sanctions, not an unconditional authorization to seize any Russian ships.