France Releases Suspected Russian Shadow Fleet Tanker After Huge Fine
France released a tanker suspected of being part of Russia‘s sanctions-busting “shadow fleet” called “Grinch” after its owner paid a fine of several million euros, according to French foreign minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The oil tanker was intercepted by French forces and their allies in the Alboran Sea on suspicion of operating under a false flag and belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet that enables Russia to export oil despite sanctions.
The “Grinch” oil tanker was boarded by French navy boats last month between Spain and Morocco after it started its journey in Russia, before being escorted to a port outside the southern city of Marseille. The fine paid by the owner is reportedly several million euros, which has led to the release of the tanker from French waters.
“This tanker ‘Grinch‘ is leaving French waters after paying several million euros and enduring a costly three-week immobilisation in Fos-sur-Mer,” Barrot said. “Evading European sanctions comes at a price. Russia will no longer be able to bankroll its war with impunity through a shadow fleet off our shores.”
Ukraine Peace Talks Begin Amid International Pressure
As the international community continues to pressure Russia over its actions in Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, and the UK have representatives attending peace talks in Geneva today, according to Italian press reports. National security advisers from these countries are reportedly following the third negotiating session and are expected to meet with the Ukrainian and US delegations later today.
The presence of these European countries at the talks highlights the international pressure on Russia to resolve the conflict peacefully. The talks come as Ukraine continues to face military aggression from Russia, which has led to widespread humanitarian crises and human rights abuses.
Spain Investigates Social Media Firms Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Material
In a separate development, the Spanish government has announced that it will ask prosecutors to investigate social media companies X, Meta, and TikTok over allegations of allowing their AI systems to generate and disseminate child sexual abuse material. The move comes after an expert report highlighted the potential criminal liability of these practices in the digital environment.
The Spanish government has taken action on the basis of this report, which warned of the potential involvement of social media firms in these acts due to their ability to allow massive dissemination with speed and opacity that hinders detection and prosecution. The move is part of a broader effort by the Sánchez administration to protect children’s mental health, dignity, and rights online.
The investigation will focus on the generative artificial intelligence functionality associated with the Grok large language model, which has been linked to the production of sexually explicit images and the spreading of possible child sexual abuse material. The move comes as the European Commission launches an investigation into Elon Musk’s X over similar allegations.
Original Article: France releases suspected Russian shadow fleet tanker after huge fine, as Ukraine peace talks begin – Europe live — The Guardian