Source link : https://london-news.net/russian-foreign-minister-claims-u-s-delays-release-of-crew-from-seized-oil-tanker/
The Russian Foreign Minister stated on Tuesday that the United States has not yet released the Russian crew members of an oil tanker that was seized by American forces in the northern Atlantic Ocean earlier this month.
On January 7, U.S. forces boarded and captured the Marinera, a tanker flying the Russian flag that is under American sanctions, after pursuing it for weeks on the high seas. The capture of this vessel was part of the Trump administration’s strategy to halt oil exports from Venezuela.
Initially, Russia denounced the seizure of the vessel as an act of “maritime piracy,” but later asserted that U.S. officials had indicated that the two detained Russian crew members of the Marinera would be released. However, the U.S. government has yet to publicly affirm any plans to free the Russians.
Sergei Lavrov mentioned at a press conference on Tuesday, “We were told that a decision had been made at the highest levels for their release.” He added, “Regrettably, the ensuing days have demonstrated that this decision is not being acted upon. We anticipate that our American partners will honor their commitments.”
U.S. officials have indicated earlier that the crew of the Marinera may face legal action in the United States, which Russia described as “categorically unacceptable.”
The United States imposed sanctions on the vessel, previously known as the Bella 1, in 2024 for being part of a so-called “shadow fleet” engaged in the transportation of Iranian…
—-
Author : [email protected]
Publish date : 2026-01-21 12:37:00
Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.
—-
1 – 2 – 3 – 4 – 5 – 6 – 7 – 8