Russia Slams France Over Tanker Seizure, Calls Action 'Piracy'

Russia has sharply criticized French President Emmanuel Macron's remarks concerning the seizure of a tanker, with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov labeling the action as bordering on piracy. The incident has escalated tensions between Moscow and Paris over international sanctions.

Macron had previously stated that the tanker, identified as the Tagor, was brought under French control for violating sanctions. However, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova countered that only sanctions approved by the UN Security Council are considered international. She asserted that restrictions imposed by the European Union or individual Western nations do not hold the same international standing.

Zakharova also warned that many commercial vessels operate under "flags of convenience," often linked to Western interests. She suggested that if France were to take similar actions against such ships on the high seas, it could have significant repercussions for global maritime trade. The Russian embassy has formally requested an explanation from French authorities regarding the circumstances of the tanker's seizure and has taken steps to ensure the safety of the Russian crew members on board.

Moscow disputes France's invocation of Article 110 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in the Tagor case. The French navy, with support from Britain and other allies, intercepted the sanctioned tanker in the Atlantic Ocean. Initial reports indicated the ship's captain is a Russian citizen.

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A szóvivő arra is figyelmeztetett, hogy számos nyugati érdekeltségű kereskedelmi hajó úgynevezett „kényelmi zászló” alatt közlekedik, és ha Franciaország a nyílt tengeren ezek ellen is hasonló módon lépne fel, az komoly következményekkel járhatna a globális tengeri kereskedelemre nézve.