00:00Russian President Vladimir Putin has threatened to seize European ships in response to their interception of vessels linked to Moscow's
00:08so-called shadow fleet.
00:10His remarks come as the EU steps up efforts to crack down on sanctions evasion.
00:17Moscow's shadow fleet refers to often-aging tankers transporting sanctioned oil and gas outside Western Oversight.
00:25Putin described the actions as piracy and banditry, warning that Russia would respond whatever it deemed necessary.
00:32The EU has recently expanded sanctions against hundreds of vessels and allowed member states to seize and sell oil or
00:40other cargo from ships targeted under the new measures.
00:43Putin made the comments while observing military exercises on Russia's far eastern island of Sakhalin.
00:49Separately, Putin also accused NATO of expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific and creating tensions in the Arctic.
Comments