The move adds tension to U.S.–Russia relations amid sanctions, naval tracking, and ongoing talks over Ukraine.
Russia has submitted a formal diplomatic note to the United States, requesting that American authorities stop pursuing an oil tanker that was originally bound for Venezuela. According to officials familiar with the matter, the request was delivered to the U.S. State Department just before New Year’s Eve, as the vessel continued to evade U.S. custody at sea.
In a striking twist, the ship—previously known as Bella 1—has since appeared in Russia’s official ship registry under a new name, a move that could complicate any attempt to seize it. The tanker reportedly changed course after learning it could be intercepted by the U.S. Coast Guard, following Washington’s declaration of a total blockade on sanctioned vessels traveling to or from Venezuela.
The situation unfolds as the Trump administration intensifies its enforcement of oil sanctions against Caracas, while simultaneously engaging Moscow in high-level discussions aimed at ending Russia’s war in Ukraine. President Donald Trump has reportedly spoken twice with Russian President Vladimir Putin in the past week, underscoring the delicate diplomatic backdrop.
So far, neither the White House nor the State Department has indicated whether Russia’s request will alter U.S. actions. The Russian Embassy in Washington has also declined to comment, leaving the fate of the tanker—and the broader implications for sanctions enforcement—uncertain.
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