The US has set free the two Russian crew members of the Russian-flagged oil tanker ‘Marinera’ captured by American forces, the Foreign Ministry in Moscow has said.
US President Donald Trump made the move in response to a request by the Kremlin, the ministry said.
“We welcome this decision and express our gratitude to the US leadership,” the statement read.
On Wednesday, the US European Command announced the capture of the Marinera in international waters to the northwest of Scotland. American warships had pursued it all the way from the Caribbean Sea.
The tanker, previously named Bella 1, was intercepted for alleged “violation of US sanctions” regarding the export of Venezuelan oil.
The vessel had a crew of 28 people, including two Russians, 17 Ukrainians, three Georgians and three citizens of India.
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