Russia has ‍asked the U.S. to stop ​its pursuit of an oil ‌tanker that ​was heading to Venezuela and is now fleeing the U.S. Coast Guard in the Atlantic Ocean, the New York Times reported ​on Thursday (January 1, 2026), citing two ⁠people with knowledge of the matter. American forces have been pursuing the ​tanker, which ⁠maritime groups have identified as the Bella 1, for almost two weeks.

The ‌U.S. on Wednesday imposed sanctions on ‌four companies it said were operating in ‍Venezuela’s oil sector as well as associated oil ‍tankers, as President Donald Trump’s administration increases pressure on Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Russia made the formal diplomatic request as Mr. Trump also seeks to broker a peace ⁠deal between Russia and Ukraine.

The White House, ​U.S. Department of State ⁠and Russian Embassy were not immediately available for comment.