Moscow says it is dealing with what it calls an anomalous situation in the North Atlantic which features a high-stakes maritime standoff involving a Russian-flagged oil tanker that Washington and its allies have been tracking for weeks.
According to media reports, the United States (US) is making plans to try to intercept the oil tanker Marinera that Russia has claimed jurisdiction over. The tanker is said to be linked to a so-called “shadow fleet” of ships accused of dodging sanctions on oil exports.
Moscow says it is closely watching what it calls a troubling situation involving a Russian oil tanker in international waters.
The Russian Foreign Ministry said it is, “really anxiously monitoring the anomalous situation around the Russian oil tanker Marinera,” which it says is currently located in the international waters of the North Atlantic Ocean, sailing under the Russian state flag and operating in full compliance with international maritime law.
Despite this, Russian diplomats have drawn attention to what they describe as unmotivated and excessive interest from the American and North Atlantic Treaty Organisation military forces. The Foreign Ministry says that a US Coast Guard vessel has been following the Marinera for several days.
Officials emphasise that the tanker remains roughly 4000 kilometres away from the coast of the US, raising questions about the justification for such close monitoring.
Moscow has stressed that freedom of navigation on the high seas is a fundamental principle of international law. The Foreign Ministry added that Western countries, which frequently declare their commitment to this principle, should begin by respecting it in practice.
Russian diplomats say they expect all parties to act responsibly and avoid actions that could escalate tensions in international waters.
—Reuters—
