CoinWorld News reports that White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said on Wednesday that despite concerns that seizing sanctioned oil tankers could escalate tensions with Russia, Trump "is not afraid" to continue seizing these tankers. She told reporters at the briefing, "Trump will implement policies that are in the best interest of the United States. This means imposing sanctions on all 'shadow fleets' illegally transporting oil." A few hours before Jean-Pierre made these remarks, the U.S. military had just taken control of two oil tankers, including one flying the Russian flag, which had been tracked for over two weeks. She downplayed the risk that this move could trigger tensions between the U.S. and Russia, arguing that Trump maintains a good relationship with Putin.