Russia’s Foreign Ministry has urged the United States to comply with international maritime law and to halt what it described as “illegal actions” against a Russian-registered oil tanker seized by Washington.

In a written statement issued on Thursday, the ministry commented on the seizure by the US European Command of the oil tanker “Bella 1,” later renamed “Marinera,” in the North Atlantic.

The statement said the incident is a cause for concern, especially as the US side had been repeatedly informed that the tanker is officially registered in Russia and flies the Russian flag, stressing that Moscow views the move as a violation of international law.