Russia on Monday strongly condemned France's detention of a Russian-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, describing the action as illegal and warning that Moscow would take steps to safeguard its shipping operations.
Reacting to France's seizure of the tanker Tagor, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia considered the move unlawful, according to Reuters.
"We consider such actions to be illegal," Peskov said. He added that the detention of the vessel was "bordering on international terrorism".
The Kremlin also said Russia was taking measures to ensure the safety of maritime cargo transport and would continue to do so in light of the latest incident.
Tanker over suspected sanctions violations
The sharp reaction came after France announced the detention of the Tagor, a tanker suspected of being part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" used to circumvent Western sanctions imposed over the Ukraine war.
French President Emmanuel Macron said the vessel was intercepted in international waters in the Atlantic with support from Britain and other partners.
