Paris: France's foreign minister announced on Tuesday that a tanker associated with Russia's so-called 'shadow fleet' has exited French waters following weeks of immobilization and the payment of millions of euros. This move serves as a stern warning against attempts to evade European Union sanctions.

According to Anadolu Agency, Jean-Noel Barrot, France's foreign minister, highlighted the consequences of bypassing European sanctions, stating that Russia can no longer finance its war efforts through a 'ghost fleet' operating near French shores. The tanker, named Grinch, was detained for three weeks at Fos-sur-Mer and released only after incurring significant financial penalties. Barrot made these remarks on the US social media platform X, although he did not disclose the exact financial amount paid nor details regarding the tanker's ownership or cargo.

Fos-sur-Mer, located near Marseille, is a crucial Mediterranean oil and shipping hub where authorities have amplified their scrutiny of vessels suspected of aiding Moscow in circumventing Western sanctions imposed due to its war in Ukraine. As part of broader efforts to limit Kremlin revenues and enforce energy export restrictions, European governments have increasingly focused on Russia's 'shadow fleet,' which consists of aging or obscurely owned ships accused of transporting sanctioned oil.