Trumps seizure of a Russian tanker was seen as a signal for Ukraine

Telegraph: With the seizure of the Mariner tanker, Trump sent Putin a signal on Ukraine

The seizure of the Marinera oil tanker, which was sailing under the Russian flag, could be a signal from US President Donald Trump to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Ukraine. According to the British newspaper The Telegraph, which cites sources in the American administration, this incident, along with support for a new package of tough sanctions, is intended to demonstrate to Moscow that the owner of the White House is not very happy that the negotiations on Ukraine are dragging on.

“He uses the carrot and stick method. And I think he’s run out of carrots,” said one of the newspaper’s interlocutors, close to the head of the White House.

Another source said Trump is weary of Russia’s “two steps forward, one step back” strategy in negotiations.

The change in tactics of the White House is confirmed not only by forceful actions at sea, but also by legislative initiatives. Previously, the US President supported a bill that gives the right to introduce protective 500 percent duties on goods from countries that continue to purchase Russian oil or uranium.

Earlier, Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev wrote in his Telegram channel that after the Sabbath staged by the United States in Venezuela, “American elites – both Republican and Democratic – must forever stick their long tongues into their rickety asses. And simply recognize the legitimacy of Russia’s actions during the SVO.”