The U.S. Coast defender ship is escorting Mariner's tanker. © US Coast Guard
The United States released 2 Russian crew members of the Mariner tanker flying the flag of Russia, taken over by the US forces, reported the Ministry of abroad Affairs in Moscow.
U.S. president Donald Trump made this decision in consequence to Kremlin's request, informed the ministry.
"We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the American authorities" – reads in a statement.
On Wednesday, U.S. Armed Forces Command in Europe announced the acquisition of a Mariner tanker in global waters northwest of Scotland.
American warships chased him all the way from the Caribbean Sea.
The tanker, formerly called Bella 1, was intercepted on charges "infringements of US sanctions" on exports of Venezuelan oil.
The crew of the ship had 28 people, including 2 Russians, 17 Ukrainians, 3 Georgians and 3 Indian citizens.
The United States first drew attention to the tanker at the end of last year, after reports spoke of an effort to get closer to Venezuela.
The captain then refused to board the American Coast defender and changed course to the Atlantic.
During the chase, the crew changed the ship's name and applied for a temporary licence to fly the flag of Russia, which was granted by the Russian port in Sochi.
The Russian Ministry of abroad Affairs previously stated that the acquisition of Marinera by the United States "cannot be construed as the most gross violation of the fundamental principles and standards of global maritime law".
It was stressed that this would lead to further escalation of tensions in the Euro-Atlantic region and reduce ‘force threshold for civilian units’.
Only a fewer days after the US forces raided Venezuela and kidnapped its president Nicolas Maduro, whom the United States had accused of drug trafficking.
Translated by Google Translator
source:https://www.rt.com/news/630753-us-tanker-crew-moscow/
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