Russia Slams US over Seizure of its Oil Tanker, Says ‘It’s Outright Piracy’
In a strongly worded statement, Russia on Wednesday condemned the United States for seizing a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, with a senior lawmaker calling it “outright piracy”. The incident has sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations, with Russia accusing the US of violating international law.
The controversy surrounds the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera, which was seized by the US as part of its efforts to block Venezuelan oil exports. The US has been imposing sanctions on Venezuela’s state-owned oil company, PDVSA, in an attempt to pressure the government of President Nicolas Maduro to step down.
Russia’s Transport Ministry issued a statement saying, “No state has the right to use force against vessels duly registered in the jurisdictions of other states.” The ministry emphasized that the seizure of the tanker was a clear violation of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The Russian government has been a long-time ally of Venezuela, and has been critical of US attempts to impose its will on the Latin American nation. Russia has accused the US of trying to strangle the Venezuelan economy through its sanctions, and has vowed to continue supporting the Maduro government.
The seizure of the Marinera tanker has been seen as a significant escalation of the US campaign against Venezuela. The tanker was reportedly carrying a cargo of crude oil from Venezuela to Europe, and its seizure is likely to have significant economic implications for both Venezuela and Russia.
Russian lawmakers have been quick to condemn the US action, with one senior legislator calling it “outright piracy”. The lawmaker, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that the US had no right to seize a Russian-flagged vessel, and that the move was a clear attempt to intimidate Russia and its allies.
The incident has also sparked a heated debate about the role of the US in enforcing international sanctions. While the US has argued that its sanctions are necessary to promote democracy and human rights in Venezuela, critics argue that they are having a devastating impact on the Venezuelan economy and are causing widespread suffering among the population.
Russia has long been a critic of US sanctions, and has argued that they are a form of economic warfare that is designed to undermine the sovereignty of other nations. The seizure of the Marinera tanker has been seen as a clear example of this, and has sparked fears that the US may be preparing to take further action against Russian vessels and interests.
The diplomatic row between Russia and the US over the seizure of the Marinera tanker is likely to have significant implications for international relations. The incident has highlighted the deep divisions between the two nations, and has sparked fears of a new Cold War.
As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to the US action. However, one thing is clear: the seizure of the Marinera tanker has marked a significant escalation of the conflict between the US and Russia, and has sparked a heated debate about the role of the US in enforcing international sanctions.
In conclusion, the seizure of the Russian-flagged oil tanker Marinera by the US has sparked a diplomatic row between the two nations, with Russia accusing the US of “outright piracy”. The incident has highlighted the deep divisions between the US and Russia, and has sparked fears of a new Cold War. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how Russia will respond to the US action, and what implications this will have for international relations.
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