The U.S. has urged Ukraine not to attack non-Russian ships in the Black Sea — WSJ
The United States has called on Ukraine not to strike ships in the Black Sea that are not affiliated with Russia. This follows a recent attack by Ukrainian drones near Novorossiysk, during which a tanker chartered by the American company Chevron was damaged.
According to The Wall Street Journal, officials in Washington are concerned about the potential consequences of such strikes on international energy projects and have urged Kyiv to take the interests of its allies into account.
Following the Ukrainian drone attack on four tankers near Novorossiysk, the U.S. administration held consultations with Ukraine. Among the vessels targeted was a tanker chartered by Chevron. This situation raised concerns in the U.S., as the vessel was not involved in Russian exports but was transporting Kazakhstani oil.
According to the publication, Chevron CEO Mike Wirth met with representatives of the Donald Trump administration to discuss potential risks to the company’s assets in Kazakhstan.
Why This Route Is Important to the U.S.
The tanker among the damaged vessels was linked to the operations of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). Kazakhstan uses this route to transport oil to the Black Sea, from where it is shipped to global markets.
Chevron owns a stake in this pipeline and also has a significant interest in one of Kazakhstan’s largest oil fields—Tengiz. This route is of great importance to the American company. The Tengiz field accounts for approximately 12% of Chevron’s global production, and the company has invested tens of billions of dollars in its development.
The attack affected Kazakhstan’s oil exports
Following the attack, the operations of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium were partially restricted. As a result, Kazakhstan faced challenges storing its produced oil and was forced to cut production.
Officials in Washington stated that the CPC route is vital for supplying energy resources to Europe. U.S. officials believe this route helps European countries reduce their dependence on Russian oil.
What was the U.S. reaction?
According to a source speaking to the WSJ, after consulting with representatives of the oil industry, the Trump administration signaled to Ukraine that attacks on non-Russian vessels in the Black Sea are undesirable.
Washington emphasized the importance of avoiding attacks that could disrupt international energy routes and affect companies from partner countries. At the same time, the U.S. continues to support Ukraine in its war against Russia and recognizes Kyiv’s right to defend itself against Russian aggression.
Ukraine may change its approach to target selection
Analyst Paul Cheng, quoted by the WSJ, suggested that further strikes on export routes could put additional pressure on Chevron and other international companies.
According to him, due to Washington’s stance, Ukraine will likely be more cautious in selecting targets in the Black Sea. The main goal is to avoid situations where ships or facilities associated with Ukraine’s partners could be hit.
The Black Sea Remains a Key Front in the War
Since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion, the Black Sea has become one of the key theaters of the conflict. Ukraine regularly strikes Russian military infrastructure, ships, and facilities used to support the army.
At the same time, international energy routes operate in the region, so any attacks could have consequences not only for Russia but also for other countries and companies. That is why Ukraine’s allies are urging caution regarding the potential diplomatic and economic consequences when conducting such operations, according to The Wall Street Journal.
As a reminder, a Russian port on the Black Sea has halted oil shipments.
Prior to this, Russia reported a drone attack on the night of July 25. In the city of Engels in the Saratov region, a fire broke out following reports of a drone threat; it likely started near a military facility. Russian authorities have not officially reported on the cause of the fire or the possible consequences of the attack.
