Putin Threatened the West Over Merchant Ships While on Sakhalin
Russian dictator Vladimir Putin arrived on Sakhalin, where he observed the final stage of the Russian Pacific Fleet’s exercises. During his stay in the region, he claimed that threats to Russia in the Asia-Pacific region were allegedly on the rise and issued new threats against Western countries.
Putin arrived in Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk and subsequently boarded the missile cruiser Varyag.
“We see that, unfortunately, the potential for conflict is growing here. NATO is making inroads here, new military-political blocs are being formed, and new weapons systems that pose a threat to Russia are being deployed or planned for deployment,” the Kremlin leader said.
According to him, “tensions are also allegedly being stoked” in the neighboring Arctic region due to the use of the Northern Sea Route.
Putin separately praised the marines of the Russian Pacific Fleet who are participating in the war against Ukraine, stating that they are allegedly “acting boldly and professionally.”
The Russian dictator also claimed that Moscow is not threatening Japan, despite Tokyo’s sanctions against Russia over its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
“Moscow has no grievances against Tokyo,” he said.
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At the same time, Putin stated that Japan has claims against Russia regarding the Kuril Islands, which, according to him, were allegedly assigned to Russia by international documents after World War II.
Separately, Putin stated that Russia would “respond in kind” if Western countries began seizing Russian merchant ships.
“Russia will respond in kind to the seizure of its merchant ships not only in those same waters, but anywhere, including the Pacific Ocean,” he warned.
Viktor Liina, commander of the Russian Pacific Fleet, stated that the Russian military allegedly has the necessary capabilities to inspect and detain vessels from “unfriendly countries.”
“We have conducted a detailed analysis of maritime traffic in the Asia-Pacific region. We know the routes, what the ships are carrying, and who owns them. We have the forces to inspect and detain vessels from unfriendly states and their shadow fleet. Interagency coordination is in place, and we are ready to begin carrying out these tasks,” Liina reported to Putin.
Thus, during the visit to Sakhalin, the Kremlin effectively declared its readiness to use force against foreign merchant ships if Moscow deems their actions hostile.
This is according to reports in the Russian media.
As a reminder, during his visit to Novosibirsk, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin unexpectedly stopped his motorcade and spoke with local residents. The encounter took place near a Teboil gas station, which was out of gasoline at the time, and the fuel price display was not working.
