US demanded that Zelenskyy stop striking oil tankers

Washington was concerned that Ukraine was further destabilizing oil markets and harming American companies by striking tankers carrying oil transported via pipeline from Kazakhstan to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in the Russian port of Novorossiysk, according to the Financial Times.

Vance asked President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to stop the attacks during a phone call on July 31.

Since then, Ukraine has not struck tankers near the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal.

Ukraine agreed not to attack CPC infrastructure or non-Russian vessels, provided that these vessels are not subject to Ukrainian sanctions and are not carrying Russian oil or other Russian cargo, officials noted.

"We are listening very carefully to our American partners," a senior Ukrainian official said, adding that Kyiv had implemented the appropriate mechanisms in response to the US request.

The CPC has been a constant topic in negotiations with the US and Kazakh governments.

A US administration official confirmed that the administration had warned Ukraine to cease attacks on non-Russian vessels in the Black Sea, as well as on CPC infrastructure.

"The administration views the CPC as a vital supply channel for Kazakh energy to European markets, serving as an alternative to Russian energy," the official noted.

The United States reaffirmed Kyiv's commitment to refrain from striking CPC infrastructure and non-Russian vessels traveling to the pipeline's Novorossiysk terminal, provided they are not subject to other Ukrainian sanctions.

A person familiar with Ukraine's position noted that Kyiv agreed to the Trump administration's request because it seeks a US license to produce interceptors for the Patriot system. Kyiv hopes to acquire several hundred of these missiles before winter, when Russia is expected to intensify its air attacks on critical infrastructure.

Photo: Telegram.