Kremlin says French seizure of tanker is bordering on piracy

MOSCOW, June 1 (Reuters) - ​The ⁠Kremlin said on ​Monday that it considered France's seizure of ​the oil ‌tanker Tagor to be illegal and ⁠that it bordered on ⁠piracy.

The French navy ​boarded and diverted the vessel sailing from Russia on Sunday. French President Emmanuel ​Macron ‌said the tanker was subject to international sanctions and the operation was carried out in accordance with ​maritime law.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said ‌Russia did not agree that international law had been followed.

"We ‌consider such actions illegal; they border on international piracy," Peskov told reporters, adding ​that Russia would take measures to ensure the ‌safety of shipping cargo in response to the incident.

In February, a Kremlin ⁠aide ⁠said Russia could deploy ‌its navy to prevent the seizure of its ​vessels ​and may retaliate against European ‌shipping if Russian ships are taken. (Reporting by Dmitry Antonov, Writing by Alessandra Prentice; editing by Guy Faulconbridge)