"We will expand the scope of our strikes to include port facilities, ships, and vessels entering Ukrainian ports," said Russian President Putin at a press conference.
Putin stated that attacks on Russian ships in foreign special economic zones are considered acts of piracy. He emphasized that if such incidents continue, Russia will also consider taking countermeasures against countries that assist Ukraine in such actions.
Putin's statement regarding the "expansion of the strike range on Ukrainian ports and related ships" is a direct and escalated response from Russia following Ukraine's recent series of successful strikes on Russian Black Sea energy facilities and its "shadow fleet."
According to the report, at the press conference, Putin mainly conveyed two layers of meaning:
1. Direct retaliation threat: He stated that Russia "will consider taking retaliatory measures against ships of countries allegedly helping Ukraine attack Russian oil tankers."
2. Strategic goal: He proposed that "the most thorough way is to cut off Ukraine's connection with the sea, making its piratical acts impossible." This clearly targets the ports and maritime trade routes on which Ukraine relies for survival.
Putin's firm statement is not without basis, but rather an immediate reaction to Ukraine's recent series of maritime military actions. These actions occurred in a short period and had a significant impact on Russia's economy and energy exports.
Putin's latest statement means that the Black Sea situation may enter a new and more dangerous phase:
The risk of war in the Black Sea, especially in the waters near Ukrainian ports, will be considered significantly increased. The insurance costs for commercial shipping may surge, leading to higher transportation costs.
Russia may take practical actions to further block Ukrainian ports, cutting off its access to export goods like grain through the Black Sea, striking at Ukraine's economic lifeline.
If Russia actually takes action against ships of "countries helping Ukraine," it would directly challenge international shipping rules and could lead to strong reactions from relevant countries.
In summary, Putin's speech marks a major escalation in the maritime conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Its subsequent developments will directly affect the security and stability of the Black Sea region, global food and energy supplies, as well as the positions of more countries in this conflict.
Original: toutiao.com/article/1850423309538304/
Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.