Putin Orders Pacific Fleet to Prepare Seizures of European Ships in Sanctions Escalation

President Putin warned from a Russian cruiser off Sakhalin that Russia would seize European vessels "wherever we deem it necessary and appropriate" if EU states confiscate Russian cargo ships. He said instructions were sent to the Defence Ministry and Pacific Fleet. The threat follows July 2026 EU sanctions permitting members to sell seized Russian oil and cargo. Putin called the EU policy "piracy and robbery."