The naval blockade of North Korea will mean the inspection of all ships entering and leaving its ports, including Russian ones; Today, one can not predict the Kremlin's response to such measures.

This opinion was expressed to the "Observer" by the Russian military expert and journalist Pavel Felgenhauer.

Commenting on the legislative initiative of the US Congress on new restrictions on the DPRK, the expert explained: "There are UN sanctions against North Korea, it is possible to establish a naval blockade - certain actions prescribed in the law of the sea," he said.. In particular, we are talking about "inspection of all incoming and outgoing vessels, regardless of national flags".

"We are talking about the ability to stop and inspect ships of third countries, including Russia, which follow from North Korean ports to Russian ports, or vice versa. Stop them, inspect, possibly, confiscate what they consider to be smuggling. Moreover, flags can be very different - in most cases with a Russian crew or a mixed Russian-Ukrainian one, which happens quite often, "added Felgenhauer.

According to him, a new test of nuclear weapons in North Korea may entail a tightening of sanctions, including a naval blockade.

Regarding Russia's reaction to such measures, he noted that in many respects it will depend on China's position, since "Russia follows the Chinese fairway".

"The question is that if the ship is stopped, what flag it will have on it, will it be Russia's casus belli (the reason for the war. - Red. )? There may be a diplomatic conflict, especially if the flag is Russian, not just a Russian crew on a Cambodian ship, "the expert suggested..

At the same time, Felgenhauer is convinced that so far it is premature to predict such events, since "while the naval blockade is not declared".

As the "Observer" wrote, the US Congress approved the introduction of new restrictions on the DPRK.

The document, in particular, provides for possible control over Russian ports in the Far East. The bill has yet to be approved by the Senate, after which it must be signed by the President. Later, Konstantin Kosachev, chairman of the Federation Council's Committee for International Affairs, said that the implementation of the bill on US control over Russian ports in the Far East was tantamount to declaring war.

Join the groups "Observer" on Facebook and VKontakte, stay tuned!.