Russia accused the United States of "piracy and banditry" over the seizure of tankers off Venezuela, part of the Trump administration's campaign to remove authoritarian President Nicolas Maduro from power.
"Today we are witnessing complete lawlessness in the Caribbean Sea, where long-forgotten theft of other people's property, namely piracy, and banditry, are being revived," said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova.
The official went on to say that Moscow "consistently" advocates for "de-escalation" and hopes the "pragmatism and rationality of US President Trump will allow solutions to be found that are mutually acceptable to the parties within the framework of international legal norms."
"We confirm our support for the efforts of the government of Nicolas Maduro aimed at protecting sovereignty and national interests, and maintaining the stable and secure development of his country," she concluded.
Russia has also warned Washington that the blockade poses a "threat" to international shipping and could have "unpredictable consequences" for the Western Hemisphere. It also recently reaffirmed its support for Maduro. The White House said it was not concerned about Russia's stance.
Moscow also denied reports this week that it had begun evacuating staff from its embassy in Venezuela, pushing back against claims that Moscow is preparing for a further deterioration of the situation.
The denial followed a report by The Associated Press citing an anonymous European intelligence official who said Russia had started withdrawing the families of its diplomats from Caracas last Friday.
The AP report said Russian officials privately described the situation in Venezuela in "very grim terms."
In a post on X, Russia's Foreign Ministry dismissed the report as false, urging the public to "be careful and don't fall for Western provocations," though it did not directly address whether diplomats' families had been relocated.
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