Putin ally warns European power seizing Russian vessels

Nikolai Patrushev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, was quoted as saying, Russia could deploy its navy to prevent European ⁠powers from seizing its vessels and may retaliate against European shipping if Russian ships are seized .



Western states have sought to cut off Russia from global trade and cripple its finances by imposing more than 30,000 sanctions over its war in Ukraine.



They have also tried to block oil tankers suspected of involvement in Russian oil shipments.



In January the United States seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker as part of efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports.



Russian President Vladimir Putin has described such actions as piracy.