The French Navy has boarded and seized a Russian 'dark fleet' oil tanker in the Mediterranean Sea, marking the latest escalation in the West's crackdown on Putin's shadow shipping network that's been dodging international sanctions.
The boarding operation comes as nations across Europe suddenly find their courage to confront Russian maritime operations – a stark contrast to the weak-kneed responses we saw during the Biden years. It's almost as if the return of President Trump to the White House has emboldened our allies to finally stand up to authoritarian regimes.
Russia's 'dark fleet' consists of aging tankers operating without proper insurance or transparent ownership, designed to circumvent Western sanctions on Russian oil exports. These vessels have been operating with impunity across global shipping lanes, generating billions for Putin's war machine while previous administrations looked the other way.
Trump Effect Already Showing Results
What's remarkable is the timing. Just weeks into Trump's second term, we're seeing decisive action from allies who spent four years under Biden making excuses and half-measures. France's bold move sends a clear message: the days of appeasing dictators are over.
This isn't just about one tanker – it's about reasserting Western dominance over international waters and choking off funding for Russia's military operations. Every barrel of oil that doesn't reach market is money that can't be used to fund Putin's agenda.
The French action demonstrates what happens when America leads from strength rather than apologizing from behind.
While the mainstream media will undoubtedly spin this as routine enforcement, patriots know better. This is what happens when America First foreign policy creates space for our allies to act decisively rather than cowering behind diplomatic doublespeak.
The question now is whether other European nations will follow France's lead, or if they'll continue to drag their feet while Russia's shadow fleet operates freely in their backyard. One thing is certain – with Trump back in charge, America's allies know they can act with confidence knowing they have real leadership backing them up.