The Russian government expressed gratitude this Friday to U.S. President Donald Trump for his decision to release two Russian citizens from the crew of the oil tanker Marinera, which was seized earlier this week by the U.S. Coast Guard in the North Atlantic.
The announcement came from Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, who emphasized Moscow's appreciation for President Trump's decision and highlighted the importance of diplomatic dialogue in resolving the incident.
"We welcome President Donald Trump's decision to free the two Russian citizens who were part of the Marinera oil tanker crew and extend our thanks to the leadership of the United States," Zakharova stated in a message shared by the Russian Foreign Ministry on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The Marinera, previously named Bella 1, was intercepted on January 7 by combined units of the U.S. Coast Guard and naval special forces after a pursuit lasting over two weeks on the high seas.
According to Washington, the vessel was part of the so-called "shadow fleet" used by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to transport sanctioned oil and bypass international embargoes.
During the operation in the North Atlantic, the Marinera was sailing under the Russian flag, which it had adopted on December 24, allegedly to avoid sanctions.
Russian media reported that the ship belonged to a company registered in the Ryazan region and was carrying Venezuelan oil destined for Baltic ports.
U.S. officials confirmed that the crew offered no resistance and that the operation concluded "without incident," although it sparked a strong diplomatic protest from Moscow, which condemned the seizure as an "illegal action" and an "act of piracy" linked to the oil embargo on Venezuela.
Following the release of the two crew members, former Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev acknowledged that the Marinera "made a mistake" by using the Russian flag as a political shield to evade sanctions.
"It is clear why it ended up flying the provisional Russian flag. In the face of capture threats, it sought protection from U.S. sanctions. However, the chosen method was not entirely suitable," Medvedev wrote on Telegram.
Zakharova added that Russian authorities have taken steps to ensure the swift return of the freed sailors to their homeland and reiterated Moscow's demand for the lifting of what it considers "illegal and unjustified" sanctions.
President Trump's decision to release the Russian mariners is seen as a temporary easing of tensions in a highly charged atmosphere between Washington and Moscow, following weeks of friction over U.S. military intervention in Venezuela and maritime control operations in the Caribbean and the Atlantic.
Diplomatic sources cited by Reuters indicated that the White House aims to avoid a direct escalation with Russia while maintaining pressure on the oil transportation networks linked to the Venezuelan regime and its allies.
Key Insights on the Marinera Oil Tanker Incident
Why was the Marinera oil tanker intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard?
The Marinera was intercepted because it was allegedly part of a "shadow fleet" used by Russia, Iran, and Venezuela to transport sanctioned oil and evade international embargoes.
What was the reaction of the Russian government to the seizure of the Marinera?
The Russian government strongly protested the seizure, calling it an "illegal action" and an "act of piracy," while also expressing gratitude for President Trump's decision to release the crew members.
What steps has Russia taken following the release of the Marinera crew members?
Russia has taken measures to ensure the prompt return of the freed sailors and continues to demand the lifting of sanctions it deems "illegal and unjustified."