Ukraine Halts Black Sea Tanker Attacks Following US Vice President's Request

Ukraine has halted drone attacks on oil tankers in the Black Sea at the request of the United States, the Financial Times (FT) reported on the 11th (local time).

According to Ukrainian officials, on July 31, US Vice President JD Vance requested a halt to the attacks during a phone call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The US is known to have been concerned that Ukraine's attacks on vessels in the Black Sea could destabilize international oil markets and harm US companies.

US energy giants Chevron and ExxonMobil hold stakes in western Kazakhstani oil fields and the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).

Crude oil produced in Kazakhstan is transported via the CPC pipeline to the Russian Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

It is then loaded onto oil tankers at the CPC terminal and exported to Europe.

Following this request from the US, Ukraine has reportedly suspended attacks on oil tankers near the CPC terminal.

A senior Ukrainian official stated, "We listen very carefully to the views of the United States," adding that mechanisms have been put in place to respond to the US request.

Previously, Ukraine had carried out operation attacks targeting the CPC terminal and Russian vessels.

On July 17, an oil tanker chartered by ExxonMobil was attacked by Ukraine while waiting to load crude oil at the CPC terminal.

Consequently, Kazakhstan had to suspend crude oil transport to Novorossiysk on multiple occasions, and maritime shipping and insurance rates more than doubled.

According to shipping analytics firm Kpler, CPC's crude oil loadings in July averaged 1.3 million barrels per day.

This was more than 300,000 barrels lower than the previous month and 600,000 barrels lower than in May.

A source reported that the reason Ukraine accepted the US government's request was to secure US authorization for the production of Patriot interceptor missiles.

During his call with Vice President Vance, President Zelenskyy mentioned that "Patriot missiles and air defense systems are Ukraine's top priority."

Ukraine is also pushing to secure hundreds of Patriot missiles before winter arrives this year.

Separate from halting Black Sea oil tanker attacks, Ukraine is stepping up strikes on other Russian energy infrastructure.

Earlier this month, it attacked three oil refineries deep inside Russian territory, dealing a significant blow to Russia's refining capacity.

(Photo: Getty Images)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.