LONDON

The French navy boarded an oil tanker on the high seas in the Mediterranean, coming from Russia and suspected of violating international sanctions, the French president said Thursday.

"We will not tolerate any violation. This morning, the French Navy boarded an oil tanker coming from Russia, subject to international sanctions and suspected of flying a false flag," Emmanuel Macron wrote on US social media company X.

He said that the operation was conducted on the high seas in the Mediterranean, "with the support of several of our allies," adding that it was carried out in strict compliance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

"A judicial investigation has been opened. The vessel has been diverted," Macron added.

He noted that they are "determined" to uphold international law and to ensure the effective enforcement of sanctions, mentioning that the activities of what he called "shadow fleet" contribute to financing the Russian war against Ukraine.