Russia claims Trump frees two Russian sailors from seized tanker Marinera
Russia's Foreign Ministry has said that US President Donald Trump has ordered the release of two Russian sailors from the seized tanker Marinera.
Source: Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova; a statement by the Russian Foreign Ministry
Quote from Zakharova: "In response to our request, US President D. Trump took the decision to release two Russian citizens who were members of the crew of the tanker Marinera, previously detained by the American side during an operation in the North Atlantic."
Details: Zakharova said that Russia welcomes the decision and has thanked the US leadership.
She added that Russia is urgently working through all issues linked to returning the two Russians home as quickly as possible.
Background:
- US forces took control of two tankers on 7 January, including a Russian-flagged vessel Bella 1 (Marinera) that they had pursued for more than two weeks. The vessels are accused of breaching sanctions.
- Moscow called on the US to release the crew and to treat Russian citizens on board humanely.
- Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha praised the United States and President Donald Trump for "resolute leadership" after the US detained the tanker Bella 1 (Marinera) in the Atlantic Ocean.
- US Vice President JD Vance said that the tanker Bella 1, later re-registered in Russia as Marinera, merely posed as a Russian tanker in order to circumvent sanctions and avoid accountability.
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