The Trump administration cautions Ukraine against targeting non-Russian vessels in the Black Sea following recent tanker attacks.
Trump Administration Warns Ukraine: Do Not Strike Non-Russian Vessels in the Black Sea
It has been reported that the U.S. administration has officially warned Ukraine following attacks on non-Russian tankers around Novorossiysk. The warning is said to have come after initiatives by Chevron and other energy companies in Washington.
According to reports from the Wall Street Journal and Kyiv Post, the Trump administration requested that Ukraine refrain from targeting commercial vessels in the Black Sea that are not owned by Russia. The diplomatic warning was conveyed after discussions between Chevron CEO Mike Wirth and other representatives from the energy sector with senior U.S. officials.
The warning follows the attack on four tankers near Novorossiysk. It has been reported that one of the vessels was chartered by Chevron. Novorossiysk serves as the maritime exit point for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which delivers Kazakh oil to global markets. The CPC pipeline transports approximately 2% of the world’s daily crude oil supply. The restrictions on loading following the attacks have forced Kazakhstan, which has limited storage capacity, to reduce production.
The phrase 'non-Russian vessel' here should be read carefully. A tanker’s flag, registered owner, technical manager, charterer, and the cargo it carries may be linked to different states. The fact that a vessel is not flying a Russian flag does not mean it has no connection to Russian ports or trade. Conversely, striking vessels that are flagged foreign and carry the commercial interests of third-country companies could have serious repercussions for states that are not parties to the conflict.
No detailed public warning text has been released by the White House. Therefore, the phrase 'it has been reported that the U.S. administration has warned Ukraine' should be maintained in the headline and news text. The claim in the visual is not entirely baseless, but it is supported not yet by an official document, but by diplomatic news based on reliable press sources.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
