A senior Russian official close to Vladimir Putin issued a stark warning Tuesday, threatening that Moscow might use its naval forces to shield Russian ships from being confiscated by Western nations and could target European maritime vessels in response.
Nikolai Patrushev, who serves as a Kremlin advisor and leads Russia’s Maritime Board, made the comments as Western countries continue their efforts to isolate Russia economically through widespread sanctions related to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
More than 30,000 sanctions have been imposed by Western nations aimed at cutting Russia off from international commerce and damaging its economic capabilities since the war began.
European and American authorities have also moved to intercept oil tankers believed to be transporting Russian petroleum products. Last month, U.S. officials confiscated a Russian-flagged tanker as part of operations to restrict Venezuelan oil shipments.
Putin has previously characterized these seizures as acts of piracy.
Speaking to Russian publication Argumenty i Fakty, Patrushev warned of escalating Western actions. “If we don’t give them a tough rebuff, then soon the British, French and even the Balts (Baltic nations) will become arrogant to such an extent that they will try to block our country’s access to the seas at least in the Atlantic basin,” he stated.
The Russian official emphasized Moscow’s intention to maintain a strong naval presence in international waters. “We believe that, as always, the best guarantee of the safety of navigation is the navy. In the main maritime areas, including regions far from Russia, substantial forces must be permanently deployed – forces capable of cooling the ardour of Western pirates,” Patrushev declared.
