Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –
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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News
Moscow, March 5 (Xinhua) — Russian President Vladimir Putin called the attack on the Russian gas carrier Arctic Metagaz in the Mediterranean Sea a terrorist attack. The Russian Foreign Ministry stated that the country reserves the right to take political and diplomatic measures in connection with the incident.
"This is a terrorist attack. This isn't the first time we've encountered something like this," Vladimir Putin said in an interview with Vesti correspondent Pavel Zarubin.
Earlier, the Russian Ministry of Transport reported that a Russian gas carrier was attacked the previous day in the Mediterranean Sea by unmanned Ukrainian boats in close proximity to Maltese territorial waters.
"The only thing that surprises me is that this is worsening the situation on global energy markets, including gas markets, and in this case, especially for Europe," Putin said. He added that Kyiv is biting Europe's hand with such actions. "The European Union provides the Kyiv regime with endless aid, both weapons and money, while the Kyiv regime creates one problem after another for the EU," he emphasized.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that Russia reserves the right to take political and diplomatic measures in connection with the incident, including in the context of the threat to international peace and security.
"Such actions, if confirmed, constitute an act of terrorism, a flagrant violation of international law, and pose a direct threat to shipping safety. Since this involved a gas carrier carrying cargo, the consequences of an attack on it would also entail colossal damage to the environment," she emphasized.
It was previously reported that a Russian gas tanker was attacked in the Mediterranean Sea by unmanned Ukrainian boats off the coast of Libya. The attack occurred in close proximity to the territorial waters of the European Union member state of Malta. According to the Ministry of Transport, the tanker was carrying cargo, cleared in accordance with all international regulations, from the port of Murmansk. The Ministry of Transport called the attack an act of international terrorism and piracy. According to the ministry, two sailors out of the 30-member crew were injured.
During the interview, Vladimir Putin also stated that Russian intelligence agencies have information that Kiev is preparing to blow up the Black Sea gas pipelines with the support of Western intelligence agencies. "According to information available to our intelligence agencies, just as Nord Stream was once blown up, Kyiv is now preparing to blow up Blue Stream and Turkish Stream with the support of certain Western intelligence agencies. We have already informed our Turkish friends about this matter," the president said.
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