ISTANBUL

Russia said Saturday that the United States has not yet fulfilled its commitment to release two Russian nationals detained as part of the crew of the seized oil tanker Marinera, Russian officials told state media.

“We still have no clarity on when the American side will finally fulfill its promise -- at the highest level -- to release Russian citizens from the crew of the Marinera tanker detained by the Americans,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said, according to the Tass news agency.

Moscow says the assurance was given earlier this month after high-level diplomatic contacts between the two countries, but that the release has not been carried out. Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova also expressed disappointment over the delay and called the matter urgent.

Russian officials have repeatedly said US President Donald Trump decided to release the two Russian crew members from the Marinera -- a decision reportedly announced on Jan. 9 following a request from Moscow.

The Marinera was seized by US forces on Jan. 7 in the North Atlantic Ocean for alleged violations of US sanctions, and the United States has described the tanker as part of Venezuela’s “shadow fleet” transporting oil subject to US restrictions. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said the seizure was justified by those sanctions.