Ukraine has paused its drone attacks on oil tankers using the key Russian port of Novorossiysk following a request from U.S. Vice President JD Vance, according to Ukrainian officials cited by the Financial Times. The move comes after concerns in Washington that Ukraine’s actions could further destabilize oil markets and harm American companies. The request was made during discussions on July 31, with Vance urging President Volodymyr Zelensky to halt the attacks, according to Ukrainian officials and individuals familiar with the issue. Since then, Ukraine has stopped targeting tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal, based on analysis of publicly available data and statements from officials. Ukraine has agreed not to attack CPC infrastructure or non-Russian ships, provided they are not under Ukrainian sanctions and do not carry Russian oil or cargo, according to officials. A senior Ukrainian official stated that Kyiv has been carefully listening to its American partners and has established appropriate mechanisms in response to the U.S. request. The CPC pipeline has been a regular topic of discussion with the U.S. and Kazakhstan governments, the official added. American energy giants Chevron and ExxonMobil have stakes in the CPC, which is the main export route for Kazakh crude oil, as well as in oil fields in western Kazakhstan that supply the pipeline. Chevron owns a 50 percent stake in the Tengiz field, the largest in the country, while Exxon holds a 25 percent share. An American official confirmed that the administration warned Ukraine to stop attacking non-Russian ships in the Black Sea and CPC infrastructure. The administration views the CPC as a critical channel for transporting Kazakh-origin energy to European markets, serving as an alternative to Russian energy sources. The United States has reiterated its commitment to Kyiv's pledge to refrain from attacking CPC infrastructure and non-Russian ships heading to the terminal in Novorossiysk, provided these vessels are not otherwise covered by Ukrainian sanctions, according to the official. Vance’s office, Zelensky’s office, and Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment. CPC, Chevron, and Exxon declined to comment. Vance’s request is not the first time U.S. officials have attempted to dissuade Ukraine from attacking interests of American companies in Russia. In February, Olena Stefaniuk, then Ukraine’s ambassador to Washington, said she received a diplomatic message from the U.S. State Department expressing disagreement following a Ukrainian drone strike on the Novorossiysk port late last year. Ukrainian strikes on the CPC terminal last month, along with intensified attacks on Russian ships in the Azov Sea, caused chaos, forcing Kazakhstan to repeatedly suspend oil shipments via the pipeline to Novorossiysk. Freight rates and insurance costs more than doubled as a result. As a consequence, the CPC loaded only 1.3 million barrels per day in July, down 300,000 barrels per day from the previous month and 600,000 barrels per day from May, according to data from Kpler, a company tracking energy flows. Kazakh crude oil has become particularly vital for global markets due to ongoing supply constraints from the Middle East amid the war with Iran. An Exxon-chartered tanker was hit during the attacks while waiting to load at the CPC terminal on July 17. Chevron’s CEO Mike Wirth said last month that the company is working with the U.S. and other governments to ensure the pipeline remains functional. Vance is one of the most influential and occasionally controversial figures in Trump’s administration managing the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. He is known for his role in shaping U.S. policy toward the region. Ukrainian forces have recently intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure and other locations in an effort to deprive Russia of resources needed to fund its military, according to reports. Drone attacks in the Black Sea destroyed a fifth of the CPC’s oil loading in July, according to four sources familiar with the data. Kazakhstan, which relies on the CPC route for exporting crude oil, suffered a 14 percent drop in oil production in July compared to June, according to sources. Chevron and Exxon Mobile are among the leading Western oil companies operating there. A U.S. official confirmed to the newspaper that the administration warned Ukraine to stop attacking non-Russian ships in the Black Sea. Ukrainian officials have confirmed that they have ceased attacks on non-Russian ships and CPC infrastructure, pending certain conditions. However, the situation remains fluid, with potential for renewed tensions should circumstances change.
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