MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. It is premature to discuss the impact of Russia’s warning of a tit-for-tat response to Western attempts to seize merchant vessels, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS.

"It’s too early to raise that question," he said in response to a question about whether the Kremlin has observed a decline in threats to maritime trade.

On August 12, while addressing the Pacific Fleet exercises, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated that Moscow would retaliate against attempts by several Western countries to seize its merchant vessels. He also emphasized that this would occur not only in the waters where such raids are planned but also wherever Russia deems appropriate.