"We will have to respond in a mirror manner." Putin called the West's plans to seize Russian ships piracy and robbery

Putin: Moscow intends to respond in a mirror manner in case the West seizes Russian ships.

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke at the final stage of the Pacific Fleet exercises in the Far East on Wednesday, August 12. He observed the course of the exercises from aboard the Varyag missile cruiser. After that, the head of the Russian Federation made a number of statements about the seizures of Russian ships, threats from NATO and Japan's claims, and also talked about the willingness to compromise. "The ribbon.<url> has collected the main theses.

Putin declared piracy and robbery of the West at sea

Moscow will respond in kind if Western countries continue to seize Russian merchant ships, the president, dressed in the uniform of the commander-in-chief of the Russian Armed Forces, warned.

At the same time, the enemy will expect an answer, not necessarily in those waters where raids are planned, but also where Moscow itself deems it necessary and expedient, he warned.

Vladimir Putin.
Source: Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / RIA Novosti

Japan's claims

Japan has claims on the Kuril Islands, despite the fact that they are assigned to Russia in international documents as realities after the Second World War, Putin said . He noted that for the first time in the latest military-doctrinal documents, Tokyo listed the Russian Federation among the sources of major threats, although Moscow does not threaten and has no claims against the country.

He stressed that the Japanese side had imposed unprovoked sanctions against Russia, without even going into the causes of the Ukrainian conflict. In this regard, Moscow would like to understand Tokyo's position.

At the same time, the Russian leader recalled that Russia had constructive relations with Shinzo Abe and other Japanese leaders, but now Tokyo's position has changed. Despite this, Moscow is ready to cooperate with all its neighbors in the Far East, including Tokyo.

Russia is strengthening its security as a whole, but is always ready to find compromises acceptable to all its neighbors, Putin stressed.

Vladimir Putin during the exercises of the Pacific Fleet in the Far East.
Source: Gavriil Grigorov / POOL / RIA Novosti

NATO's threatening plans

The North Atlantic Alliance is gradually expanding its presence in the Asia-Pacific region (APR), Putin continued. NATO's plans to deploy new weapons in the region pose additional threats to our country's security.

"[In the Asia-Pacific region], the potential for conflict is growing. NATO is infiltrating here. New military and political blocs are being created. New weapons systems that pose threats to our country are being deployed and are planned to be deployed here," he said.

This creates tension not only in the Asia-Pacific region, but also in the neighboring Arctic region.

Vladimir Putin during the exercises of the Pacific Fleet in the Far East.
Source: Gavriil Grigorov / Press Service of the President of the Russian Federation / TASS

About the fleet and its tasks

Speaking about the Pacific Fleet, the president indicated that it fully copes with the tasks assigned to it in its area of responsibility. At the same time, the tasks are becoming more significant each time, he stressed.

Proposals to strengthen the Pacific Fleet will be supported, he added.