The Elysee has broken its silence. President Macron confirmed this afternoon that French naval forces, with logistical support from the UK, have seized a Russian oil tanker in the English Channel. The vessel, identified as the 'Moscow Star', was intercepted near the port of Le Havre. This is a significant escalation.
The seizure is part of a coordinated effort to enforce EU sanctions on Russian oil exports. Whitehall sources tell me the Royal Navy provided intelligence and a destroyer for backup. The operation was conducted under a joint maritime agreement signed last month. Downing Street is staying tight-lipped, but the message is clear: Britain is back in the game.
Macron's statement was short. He praised the 'close cooperation' with the UK and warned that more seizures would follow. The Kremlin has not yet responded. But expect a furious reaction from Moscow. The tanker is reportedly carrying crude worth over £50 million. The crew is being detained for questioning.
This will dominate the PMQs agenda next week. Labour will demand answers. The Tory backbenches will cheer. But there are risks. Russia could retaliate in the North Sea. Energy prices could spike again. This is a high-stakes gamble.
I'm told the operation was planned for weeks. The French were the lead, but British involvement was kept secret. The tanker changed course several times, trying to evade detection. The intercept was clean. No shots fired.
What happens next? The oil will be auctioned off. Proceeds will go to Ukraine. That is the plan. But legal challenges are expected. The shipping company is already crying foul. Expect a messy court battle.
For now, the political blowback is minimal. But the diplomatic fallout could be huge. France and Britain are acting as a bloc. That is rare. It signals a new post-Brexit dynamic. Macron wants to show he can work with London. Sunak wants to show he is tough on Russia. Both get a win.
But the long game is dangerous. Russia has long reach. Cyber attacks. Gas supply disruptions. This is not over. Stay tuned.
