Russia Claims U.S. Actions on Tanker Seizure Heighten Global Maritime Tensions

On Thursday, Russia accused the United States of escalating tensions and jeopardizing international shipping following the seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic a day earlier.

The U.S. contends that the vessel was transporting oil for countries such as Venezuela, Russia, and Iran, in breach of Western sanctions, and it confiscated the tanker after a U.S. operation ousted Moscow’s ally Nicolás Maduro in Caracas.

Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated that this action would «only lead to increased military and political tensions,» expressing concern over «Washington’s readiness to create intense international crises.»

The U.S. move to seize the ship occurred as Washington’s frustration with Moscow mounted, given the lack of progress in diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.

The seizure took place days after U.S. President Donald Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

In recent statements, Trump remarked that he found Putin’s assertion that Ukraine attempted to attack his residence hard to believe.

Russia maintained that the tanker was operating «in accordance with international law and under the temporary allowance of Russian law to sail under the state flag of the Russian Federation.»

The Russian government indicated that the tanker was en route to a Russian port and asserted that it had repeatedly notified U.S. authorities of its «civilian peaceful status.»

The United States has suggested that the crew might face legal action, a stance that the Russian Foreign Ministry deemed «entirely unacceptable.»

Additionally, Moscow labeled Western sanctions as «illegitimate,» asserting they cannot justify the «seizure of vessels on the high seas.»

Russia also accused the United Kingdom — which claimed to have supported the U.S. in the tanker seizure — of «engaging in maritime piracy for a long time.»

The U.K. confirmed that it had provided «pre-planned operational support» for the U.S. action in seizing the ship.