RT by @mikenov: RT by @mikenov: Finnish MEP on Putin’s ship threats: “Sink the vessel supporting the hijacking” Pekka Toveri delivers the message bluntly: Russia’s threats must be answered with enough force that they never dare carry them out. Putin now threatens to stop and seize Western commercial vessels, and Pacific Fleet commander Viktor Liina claims his forces are ready to “inspect and detainships from “unfriendly states.” Strong words — but as Toveri notes, Russia’s actual naval capability is far weaker than the rhetoric. His summary is razor‑sharp: “Tough words from a dictator with a coastal fleet trapped by straits, about 1/8 of NATO’s naval strength, no air cover on the open sea —

Finnish MEP on Putin’s ship threats: “Sink the vessel supporting the hijacking”

Pekka Toveri delivers the message bluntly: Russia’s threats must be answered with enough force that they never dare carry them out.

Putin now threatens to stop and seize Western commercial vessels, and Pacific Fleet commander Viktor Liina claims his forces are ready to “inspect and detainships from “unfriendly states.” Strong words — but as Toveri notes, Russia’s actual naval capability is far weaker than the rhetoric.

His summary is razor‑sharp:
“Tough words from a dictator with a coastal fleet trapped by straits, about 1/8 of NATO’s naval strength, no air cover on the open sea — and too afraid to operate in the Black Sea because of Ukrainian naval drones.”

Still, Toveri warns that Russia may test the West if they believe the response will be politically hesitant.

His conclusion is uncompromising:

“If Russia seizes a Western ship in international waters, the only correct response is to sink the vessel supporting the seizure and take back the cargo ship.”

That’s deterrence in one sentence: React forcefully — or hand Russsia a tool to blackmail Europe’s maritime trade.

Meanwhile, the EU is tightening sanctions on Russia’s shadow fleet, and Moscow is sending warships to protect its oil carriers.
Finnish military intelligence has already assessed that Russia is willing to use “hard measures” to protect its vessels.

Toveri’s point is simple: If the West shows strength, Russia backs off. If the West hesitates, it invites maritime coercion Europe cannot afford.
#Russia 🇷🇺  #EU 🇪🇺  #MaritimeSecur

— @jalle51 Aug 13, 2026