Political analyst Ruslan Bortnik commented on Putin’s threat to seize vessels belonging to unfriendly countries in response to the detention of Russian tankers and assessed whether a major naval war could break out, Politeka reports.
He discussed the issue on his blog.
According to the expert, there is a dangerously close confrontation developing in the seas and oceans. Putin, Medvedev, and the commander-in-chief of the Pacific Fleet have all threatened retaliatory measures against foreign vessels. Bortnik also recalls a precedent in which Sweden not only detained a Russian vessel but is preparing to hand it over to Ukraine.
“We may be half a step away from serious clashes in the seas and oceans. This is connected with Putin’s statement of this kind. In effect, Russia is saying that it may seize these vessels. These would primarily be Japanese, New Zealand, and Australian vessels, and possibly Philippine or other ships belonging to major international companies operating in the region,” Ruslan Bortnik explains.
At the same time, the expert notes, Russia has completed exercises by its Pacific Fleet, involving 60 ships. Putin also visited Iturup Island, which Japan considers an integral part of its territory, immediately escalating tensions with Japan to the highest level. In fact, he emphasizes, this was the first time Putin had visited the Kuril Islands during his entire term in office. In other words, the expert concludes, Russia is demonstrating its readiness for further escalation and to make the situation as tense as possible.
“We are approaching a very dangerous situation in which naval battles and clashes between military and commercial fleets could begin, with the latter potentially carrying marines as well. A major war could break out. Russia has effectively issued an ultimatum: if its trade is blockaded, it will blockade the trade of its opponents in the Pacific,” Ruslan Bortnik warns.
