The White House vows to continue detaining the sanctioned oil tanker while downplaying the risk of heightened tensions between the U.S. and Russia

White House Press Secretary Levitt said Wednesday that despite concerns that seizing sanctioned oil tankers could exacerbate tensions with Russia, Donald Trump “is not afraid” to continue seizing these vessels.“Donald Trump will pursue the policy that is in the best interest of the United States,” she told reporters at a press conference. “That means enforcing the embargo against the entire ‘shadow fleet’ of vessels illegally transporting oil.”Levitt made these remarks just hours after U.S. forces took control of two oil tankers, including one flying the Russian flag, which U.S. forces had been tracking for more than two weeks. She downplayed the risk that the move might strain U.S.-Russia relations, arguing that Donald Trump maintains good relations with Putin.