Russia detained the tanker Green Admire, sailing under the Liberian flag and owned by a Greek company, as it was leaving the Estonian port of Sillamäe and following a previously agreed route through Russian territorial waters, according to the Estonian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
«This navigational route, chosen considering maritime safety requirements and not strictly following state borders, was established by mutual agreement between Russia, Estonia, and Finland», the statement notes.
To prevent similar incidents in the future, Estonia will redirect ship traffic from Sillamäe exclusively through its territorial waters.
«Today's incident shows that Russia continues to behave unpredictably,» said Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna. «I have also informed our allies about the incident».