PUTIN ALLY WARNS EUROPEAN POWERS OVER SEIZURE OF RUSSIAN VESSELS Russia could deploy its navy to prevent European powers from seizing its vessels and may retaliate against European shipping if Russian ships are seized, Nicolai Patrushev, a close ally of President Putin, was quoted as saying on 17 February. Western states have tried to block oil tankers suspected of involvement in Russian oil shipments. In January, the US seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker as part of efforts to curb Venezuelan oil exports. President Putin has described such actions as piracy. Patrushev said ‘If we do not give…
