Russia rejects the US-European security proposals for Ukraine and condemns the Trump administration for seizing the Russian-flagged tanker, Bloomberg reports

• Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova calls the statements in Paris “militarist declarations” from an “axis of war,” rejecting them as “dangerous” and “destructive”; said Western troops in Ukraine will “be considered legitimate military targets for the Russian Armed Forces”. 
• And in a further statement the Russian foreign ministry directly condemns the US for seizing its tanker “The landing by U.S. troops on a civilian vessel in open sea and its actual seizure, as well as the capture of the crew cannot be interpreted as anything but a massive violation of the fundamental principles and norms of international maritime law, and also freedom of navigation," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

Russia's outright rejection of US-European security proposals and strong condemnation of actions against its tanker signal a significant escalation in tensions. This rhetoric implies a more aggressive posture from Moscow, potentially heightening risks in Eastern Europe and impacting market sentiment, particularly in energy and currencies tied to geopolitical stability. Traders should monitor how these developments could affect oil prices and safe-haven assets.