Nikolai Patrushev, former head of Russia's FSB and now leading the Russian Maritime Council, issued significant threats focused mainly on Europe, indicating that Moscow might deploy its naval forces to safeguard Russian-related ships from what he described as European confiscations. This warning raises concerns about potential retaliatory actions against European shipping amid increasing pressures on the Kremlin's so-called shadow fleet. Patrushev's statements underscore the escalating tensions surrounding maritime security and international shipping lanes amid ongoing geopolitical conflicts.

In comments to a Russian newspaper, Patrushev claimed that if peaceful resolutions do not materialize, the Russian Navy would be prepared to break any blockade and actively work to eliminate threats to its shipping. He emphasized that many vessels sailing under European flags are beyond their control, implying a readiness to monitor their cargoes and destinations more closely. Such rhetoric reflects a significant shift in Russia's stance on maritime operations and its willingness to confront NATO-aligned countries regarding shipping and trade routes.

Furthermore, Patrushev dismissed European Union claims against Russia as having no legal ground, escalating the already fraught relations between Russia and the EU. By framing the situation in terms of 'Western piracy,' he aims to legitimize potential military responses while revealing the Kremlin's strategy of blending military readiness with diplomatic rhetoric. The implications of such statements are serious for international maritime laws and could lead to heightened naval confrontations, thereby disrupting global shipping stability.