Washington reportedly raised concerns that Ukrainian drone attacks threatened US-linked companies and disrupted vital Kazakh oil supplies

KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky halted drone attacks on oil tankers using Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk after US Vice President JD Vance asked Kyiv to stop targeting vessels carrying Kazakh crude, the Financial Times reported.

According to Ukrainian officials cited by the newspaper, Vance made the request during a July 31 telephone call with Zelensky. Washington reportedly expressed concern that attacks near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal were damaging American commercial interests and disrupting Kazakhstan’s main oil export route.

Since the conversation, Ukraine has refrained from striking tankers at the CPC terminal, officials said.

Kyiv Agrees to Protect Non-Russian Shipping

Ukraine reportedly agreed not to target non-Russian vessels unless they face Ukrainian sanctions or transport Russian cargo. A senior Ukrainian official said Kyiv had established mechanisms to address Washington’s concerns.

Meanwhile, a US official described the CPC as an important route supplying Kazakhstan-origin energy to European markets and providing an alternative to Russian energy.

US companies Chevron and ExxonMobil hold stakes in the consortium. Earlier Ukrainian attacks reportedly disrupted oil flows and increased shipping costs. A vessel chartered by Exxon was also hit while waiting to load in July.

Ukraine Continues Strikes on Russian Energy Infrastructure

However, Kyiv has continued targeting Russian-owned energy and logistics infrastructure elsewhere. Ukrainian forces have intensified long-range drone operations against refineries, airfields and warehouses inside Russia during August.

Ukraine launched its Black Sea campaign to reduce Moscow’s wartime revenues and increase pressure on Russian infrastructure.

The report also linked Zelensky’s decision to Ukraine’s continuing dependence on American military technology. Kyiv reportedly wants US approval to produce Patriot missiles and continues to prioritise air-defence interceptors.

Consequently, Zelensky stressed during discussions with Vance that Patriot missiles and other air-defence weapons remain among Ukraine’s highest military priorities.