Trump’s Russia Approach Tests Courtship of Putin and Assertive U.S. Actions

President Trump’s efforts to court President Vladimir V. Putin have collided with displays of American power, most notably in a U.S. military operation that seized a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, officials said. U.S. officials described the operation as enforcing a blockade of Venezuelan oil exports and said the tanker, which had been fleeing U.S.

authorities for more than two weeks, was "stateless." The mission involved a Navy P-8 aircraft and AC-130 gunships, and U.S. warplanes were dispatched from bases in Britain. Russia had formally asked the United States to stop the pursuit and sent at least one naval vessel; a senior Russian lawmaker called the seizure "21st-century piracy," the outlet reported.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the crew could be brought to the United States for prosecution. The episode illustrated contradictions in the administration's approach: the White House in December said it sought "strategic stability with Russia," even as Mr. Trump places a premium on displaying American strength.

That emphasis has heightened tensions in places like Latin America, where Russia has sought to extend influence, and it has underscored Moscow's strains as it remains bogged down in Ukraine. Michael Kimmage of the Kennan Institute said, "How many problems does Trump solve for Putin?

Key Topics

Politics, Donald Trump, Vladimir Putin, Russia, Venezuela, Oil Tanker