France signals optimism for G7 maritime ban on Russian oil as EU chief says they seek to further isolate Moscow

France is “reasonably optimistic” that a deal can be reached, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot said on Saturday, after some G7 countries expressed willingness to move ahead with a maritime services ban of Russian oil.

“We hope to be able to include it in the 20th (EU) sanctions package we are actively preparing,” Barrot was quoted as saying by Reuters, while he was addressing reporters after a G7 foreign ministers meeting in Munich.