President Trump declined to disclose on Wednesday whether President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia had contacted him following the United States’ seizure of a Russian-flagged oil tanker in the North Atlantic, telling Fox News host Sean Hannity, “I don’t want to say.”
What to know
The tanker, formerly known as Bella 1 and Adisa, was boarded by Navy and Coast Guard personnel around 7 a.m. Eastern time on Jan. 7, 2026, after a weeks-long pursuit. The vessel had been sanctioned by the United States in 2024 for transporting Venezuelan crude in violation of restrictions intended to cut off funding to the government of Nicolás Maduro and, according to U.S. officials, groups such as Hezbollah.
During the chase, the ship changed its flag to Russian registration. It was escorted by a Russian submarine and destroyer, both of which withdrew when American forces arrived, according to Mr. Trump and Pentagon officials. Reports differ on whether the tanker was carrying oil at the time of the seizure; some accounts indicate it was empty.
The operation reflects the Trump administration’s aggressive posture toward controlling Venezuelan oil flows following the recent ouster and capture of Mr. Maduro. Russia, a key ally of the former Venezuelan leader, condemned the boarding and vowed to protect its commercial interests.
In an exclusive interview with Mr. Hannity that aired on Fox News, recorded at the White House, Mr. Trump discussed the incident while flanked by American flags.
Mr. Hannity asked directly: “Did Vladimir Putin call you after the tanker was seized?”
Mr. Trump responded: “I don’t want to say that but the fact is that the Russian ships — there was a submarine and a destroyer, they both left very quickly when we arrived and we took over the ship and the oil is being unloaded right now.”
Earlier in the segment, the president described Russia’s economy as “very bad” under current sanctions but acknowledged that Russia remains “much bigger” and “more powerful” than Ukraine.
What people are saying
- President Trump, on Fox News: “I don’t want to say that but the fact is that the Russian ships — there was a submarine and a destroyer, they both left very quickly when we arrived and we took over the ship and the oil is being unloaded right now.”
- President Trump, on Russia’s relative strength: “Russia’s economy is very bad. But they are much bigger than Ukraine. Much bigger, more powerful country.”
- Sean Hannity, questioning Mr. Trump: “Did Vladimir Putin call you after the tanker was seized?”
- Kremlin statement: Condemned the U.S. action as “piracy” and an infringement on Russian commercial shipping.
What happens next
The White House has not elaborated on any communications between Mr. Trump and Mr. Putin regarding the incident. The tanker remains under U.S. control, with its cargo — if any — in the process of being unloaded. Diplomatic fallout could intensify if Russia takes retaliatory measures, while the episode may further shape discussions on sanctions enforcement and great-power competition in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
