Moscow has strongly condemned the United States’ detention of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the Atlantic Ocean, branding the action a violation of maritime law and ‘blatant piracy.’ The White House has indicated that the ship’s crew could face trial in the United States.
The Russian Ministry of Transport stated that contact with the vessel, the ‘Marinerra,’ was lost after it was boarded by US naval forces near Iceland. According to the Ministry, the US action was ostensibly aimed at preventing oil exports from Venezuela. In a statement, the Ministry emphasized the principle of freedom of navigation on the high seas, as enshrined in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, asserting that no state has the right to use force against vessels registered under the jurisdiction of other nations.
Russia’s Foreign Ministry has demanded that Washington ensure ‘humane and dignified treatment’ for the Russian crew members and their swift return home. Andrei Klishas, a prominent lawmaker from the ruling United Russia party, launched a scathing attack on Washington, stating that the US had engaged in ‘blatant piracy on the high seas.’
White House spokesperson Caroline Levitt stated that the crew of the Russian-flagged oil tanker, allegedly linked to Venezuela, could face prosecution. ‘A court order was issued for the detention of the vessel,’ Levitt said. ‘This means that the crew may now be subject to trial for any violation of federal law, and they will be brought to the United States for trial, if necessary.’
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed it provided ‘operational assistance’ to the United States in seizing the Russian oil tanker in the North Atlantic. British forces provided coordinated operational support to US forces who intercepted the vessel in the strait between Britain, Iceland, and Greenland, after receiving a request.
This is a developing story.
