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Russia Asks US to Halt Pursuit of Oil Tanker Heading to Venezuela

Published January 1, 2026, 20:09
Russia Asks US to Halt Pursuit of Oil Tanker Heading to Venezuela

Russia has asked the United States to stop pursuing an oil tanker heading to Venezuela, which is now sailing in the Atlantic Ocean to evade the US Coast Guard. The vessel, identified as the Bella 1 by TankerTrackers, has been pursued by US forces for nearly two weeks without being seized. Russia's request comes after the US imposed sanctions on four companies operating in Venezuela's oil sector, as well as related tankers, as the Trump administration increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Simultaneously, Trump is seeking to mediate a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine.