Putin threatens EU with seizure of European ships

Several European countries have intercepted ships transporting Russian oil in violation of Western sanctions. Sanctions passed last month allow EU member states to sell the oil or other cargo seized from the ships. Moscow reacted with outrage to what Putin described as a plan “Piracy and Banditry” designated. Sweden wants to hand over to Ukraine a Russian ship that was seized at the beginning of March and is suspected of having transported grain from the occupied territories of Ukraine.

Putin spoke aboard the Russian cruiser Varyag off Sakhalin Island, where the Russian navy was holding maneuvers. They come a week before military exercises by the US and South Korea designed to simulate a possible invasion by North Korea. Tensions in the region are high: Kiev and Seoul accuse Moscow and Pyongyang of further intensifying their military cooperation.