# EU endangers itself by acting against civilian shipping — Russian Foreign Ministry

https://mins.news/en/item/20564

- TASS, 2026-08-12 19:52 UTC
- World
- Original: https://tass.com/politics/2172105

> The Russian Foreign Ministry says the European Union is using Operation Irini to intimidate commercial carriers. It also accuses the operation of obstructing freedom of navigation. In the ministry’s framing, the EU’s actions are directed against civilian shipping and expose the bloc itself to danger. The statement presents the conduct as pressure on commercial transport rather than a legitimate maritime measure.

## Related coverage

- [Putin threatens to seize European ships](https://mins.news/en/video/20275) — France 24 English, 2026-08-12
- [Putin says Moscow will respond in kind if Europe seizes Russian merchant ships](https://mins.news/en/item/19899) — The Kyiv Independent, 2026-08-12
