Russia announced on Friday that the United States has decided to release two Russian citizens from the crew of the seized tanker Marinera. The tanker had been detained by US forces in the North Atlantic after Moscow requested its release.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the decision was made by US President Donald Trump. She added that Russia welcomed the announcement and expressed gratitude to the US leadership.
“In response to our appeal, US President Donald Trump decided to release two Russian citizens from among the crew of the tanker Marinera,” Zakharova said in an official statement. She confirmed that urgent steps are being taken to ensure the crew members return to Russia safely and promptly.
The news comes after Moscow strongly condemned the US seizure of the Russian-flagged vessel, previously known as M/V Bella 1. Russian officials described the operation as illegal and a violation of international maritime law. They had demanded the immediate release of both the tanker and its crew.
Russia rejected Washington’s claims that the tanker was stateless or operating under a false flag. The Ministry insisted that all actions taken by the US in detaining the vessel were unjustified and contrary to established maritime regulations.
The seized tanker Marinera incident has heightened tensions between Russia and the United States, prompting several rounds of diplomatic discussions. Experts say the release of the two crew members marks a positive step toward easing these tensions.
Zakharova emphasized that practical arrangements for the crew’s return are already underway. She said that Moscow is closely coordinating with relevant authorities to guarantee safe passage and a quick resolution to the situation.
The incident has also drawn attention from international maritime law experts. Many noted that such cases highlight the complexities of enforcing maritime regulations in disputed waters. The release of the crew is expected to reduce international criticism and build trust between the parties involved.
The Russian Foreign Ministry described the move as a constructive outcome of diplomatic engagement. Officials said that while tensions over the tanker remain, the release of the crew demonstrates that dialogue can produce results even amid disputes.
In summary, the seized tanker Marinera incident remains a sensitive issue, but the decision to release two crew members signals a small but meaningful step toward resolving the standoff between Russia and the United States.
Tensions at sea over tanker seizures have drawn global attention, especially involving Venezuela and sanctions enforcement. For related developments, read US Attempts to Seize Russian‑Flagged Tanker Linked to Venezuela for more background on the Marinera operation.
