Copper saucepans, Sèvres porcelain, a René Lalique statuette and Baccarat champagne coupes were recovered after the theft at the French president's official residence.
The Russian leader was holding his marathon year-end news conference Friday, as the Kremlin sticks to its hardline demands despite U.S. pressure for a peace deal by Christmas.
The vessel is part of Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" - unregulated ships that Kyiv says are exporting large quantities of oil despite Western sanctions.
The case has drawn comparisons in German media to the 2024 trial in France of Dominique Pelicot, who was jailed for drugging and repeatedly raping his wife.