PARIS

France seized a superyacht of Russian oligarch Igor Sechin on Thursday in the southern French city of La Ciotat, according to French media outlet France24. 

Sechin is the CEO of Russian energy giant Rosneft and a close friend and confidant of Russian President Vladimir Putin.

The move is part of sanctions imposed by the EU in recent days on Russian entities, markets, and industry.

“As part of the implementation of European Union sanctions against Russia and in support of Ukraine, we seized a first yacht,” Minister of Public Action and Accounts Olivier Dussopts wrote on Twitter.

The yacht, Amor Vero, is docked at a shipyard in the port city near Marseille. Ownership lies in the hands of Rosneft, of which Sechin is the main shareholder. It has been in the company’s possession since 2013.

The multiple-deck vessel measures 85.6 meters (280 feet) and includes amenities such as a swimming pool that turns into a helipad, and a jacuzzi.

French officials are drawing up a list of assets owned in France by oligarchs, including yachts, properties and luxury automobiles.

As Russia wages the eighth day of attacks on Ukraine, heavy bombardment continues to hit hospitals, schools, military installations, communication towers and airstrips in major cities, including Kharkiv, Marioupol, Odessa and the capital, Kyiv.

Ukrainian President Vlodymyr Zelenskyy remains in hiding in the capital in a series of underground bunkers, issuing daily communiques to the nation.

French President Emmanuel Macron addressed the nation late Wednesday and called Putin a liar and pledged his support for Ukrainians and the Eu. He currently serves as president of the bloc.

“Russia is not being attacked, it is the aggressor. We are not at war with Russia,” said Macron.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey said in a televised address Thursday that Russia is prepared to negotiate.

“We're prepared to sign an agreement," he said.

Lavrov also addressed the French president directly, knowing Macron is at the forefront of decision-making within the bloc.

“We would be delighted if France could help us to find a solution on the basis of the principles adopted by the OSCE (Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe) and the international community. But when President Macron stated that neo-Naziism in Ukraine is a lie and the fact that neo-Naziism is flourishing in Ukraine is a laugh, it is quite sad,” he said.