"If the European Union (EU) implements the decision to seize Russian ships and sell confiscated assets, we will be forced to respond proportionally. Russia will act wherever we deem necessary and appropriate, including in the area of responsibility of the Pacific Fleet," President Vladimir Putin stated while inspecting naval exercises on Sakhalin Island in Russia's Far East on 12/8.

Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a meeting on the guided-missile cruiser Varyag of the Russian Navy on Sakhalin Island, in the Far East, on 12/8. Photo: Sputnik

The comments followed several European companies intercepting Russian oil tankers allegedly violating sanctions. Sanctions adopted last month allow EU member states to sell oil or any goods confiscated from these vessels.

President Putin emphasized that Russia is strengthening its national security but remains ready to seek mutually acceptable solutions, aligning with the interests of Russia's neighbors and friends.

"We are prepared to do that based on mutual respect and consideration of each other's interests," the Russian leader affirmed.

The EU has placed over 670 foreign-flagged oil tankers on its sanctions list, accusing them of involvement in transporting Russian oil and circumventing the Western price cap mechanism. Member states previously only had the authority to detain these vessels for inspection.

In recent months, European countries have intensified their maritime sanctions enforcement. In March, Belgium seized an oil tanker suspected of belonging to Russia's "shadow fleet" in the North Sea. The vessel had a capacity of about 330,000 barrels of oil, with an estimated value of USD 26 million.

The French Navy intercepts the oil tanker Tagor in the Atlantic Ocean in May. Photo: AP

France in May intercepted an oil tanker violating sanctions, as it had previously received cargo at Russia's Murmansk port. The vessel had a capacity of about 600,000 barrels of oil, with an estimated value of USD 48 million.

Three months earlier, Swedish forces boarded and searched the Guinea-flagged vessel Caffa, which was en route to St. Petersburg, Russia. The Supreme Court of Sweden on 4/8 rejected the appeal from Caffa Shipping, the owner of the Caffa, meaning the vessel will be handed over to Ukraine following a ruling passed by two levels of Swedish courts at Ukraine's request.

Russia has previously condemned these vessel seizures as "piracy" and stated it would retaliate "by all necessary means."

Huyen Le (According to TASS, AFP)