Russia has diplomatically requested that the U.S. cease its pursuit of the oil tanker bound for Venezuela.

The diplomatic note, sent to the State Department on New Year's Eve, comes as the Bella 1, also known as "the Bella 1," appeared under a new name in the official Russian ship registry. Whether the diplomatic request, initially reported by The New York Times, will deter U.S. attempts to intercept the tanker is unclear. Before turning back to evade seizure by the U.S. Coast Guard, the ship was initially headed to Venezuela. Last month, U.S. President Donald Trump announced a blanket embargo on sanctioned oil tankers sailing to or from Venezuela.