Vladimir Putin accuses France of "piracy" after intercepting a tanker suspected of links to Russia

Vladimir Putin described the interception of an oil tanker off the French coast as 'piracy', claiming that the ship was under a foreign flag and he does not know if it has any connection to Russia. He accused the French authorities of trying to distract attention from internal political difficulties. French President Emmanuel Macron called on Europeans to intensify measures against the Russian phantom fleet, which helps Russia evade sanctions. The captain of the oil tanker will be tried in France for 'resisting arrest'.