LONDON, Jan. 14 (Xinhua) -- Britain is prepared to work with European allies to intercept oil tankers linked to Russia's so-called "shadow fleet", Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said on Wednesday to British media.
Speaking on board the Finnish Coast Guard patrol vessel Turva in Helsinki, Cooper said Britain was ready to take "more assertive action" to increase pressure on vessels suspected of helping Russia evade international sanctions.
She said Britain had supported a recent U.S. operation to seize a Russian-flagged tanker Marinera in the Atlantic and "stood ready to participate in further joint enforcement measures with allies."
On Jan. 7, the U.S. European Command said it had seized the oil tanker in the North Atlantic in an operation. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt accused the vessel, previously known as the Bella 1, of being part of a "Venezuelan shadow fleet" that transported sanctioned oil.
Shortly after the seizure, the Russian Transport Ministry said the vessel was granted temporary authorization on Dec. 24, 2025, to sail under the Russian state flag in accordance with Russian legislation and international law.
Demanding a "speedy return" of Russians on board, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday that the U.S. action constitutes a gross violation of the fundamental principles of international maritime law.
On Friday, the United States decided to release two Russian citizens from the oil tanker. ■