France on Monday said its navy had boarded and diverted a sanctioned oil tanker linked to Russia in the Atlantic Ocean as part of a broader crackdown on sanctions evasion.
France has boarded several such ships in recent months. While some have been allowed to continue after paying fines, Western governments have pledged tighter enforcement as the war in Ukraine drags on.
Why did France board the Russian ship?
French President Emmanuel Macron said the vessel, identified as the Tagor, was intercepted on Sunday in international waters.
"This operation took place in the Atlantic Ocean, on the high seas, with the support of several partners, including the United Kingdom, in strict compliance with the law of the sea," Macron said.
