France Urges Action Against Russia’s "Shadow Fleet" in Ankara; Barrot Pushes to Cut Moscow’s Oil Revenues

In a strategic visit to Ankara, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called for a global crackdown on Russia’s "Shadow Fleet"—the clandestine tankers used to evade Western sanctions. Barrot emphasized the need to "drain Moscow’s financial resources" by targeting its oil exports, following recent interceptions of suspect tankers by the French Navy in the Black Sea and the Mediterranean.

The diplomatic push comes as the Trump administration ramps up pressure on President Erdoğan to halt Russian energy imports. While Turkey remains a key NATO ally, it has so far refrained from implementing the sanctions. Barrot’s remarks highlight growing Western concerns over the environmental and security risks posed by these unregulated vessels, particularly within the economic zones of Mediterranean nations.