Vice President JD Vance reportedly demanded Ukraine cease its attacks on oil tankers trafficking through Russian ports in the Black Sea, citing disruptions to the world energy markets.
The vice president spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 31, with a read-out from the Ukrainian side noting that the two “discussed the consequences of Russia’s war for global markets.” A report from the Financial Times, citing multiple Ukrainian officials, asserts that it was during this call that Kyiv was pressured to abandon attacks on non-Russian tankers carrying Kazakhstani crude oil to a Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal at the Novorossiysk port.
“We very carefully listen to our American partners,” the senior Ukrainian official, who was not named, told the Financial Times.
The U.S. Department of State previously flagged concerns with Ukrainian naval campaigns on the Black Sea back in February. Ambassador Olga Stefanishyna told reporters at the time that communications were “not related to encouraging Ukraine from refraining to attack Russian military and energy infrastructure,” only taking issue when “American economic interest” was “affected.”
If Ukraine is taking cues from the White House on which targets are off-limits, it appears that Russian military vessels and infrastructure remain fair game. Zelensky announced Wednesday that the Ukrainian military successfully launched a blitz of drone and missile strikes against Russian targets at the Novorossiysk naval base.
“Last night, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out a unique operation targeting the naval base in Novorossiysk – the last major stronghold of the Russian fleet in the Black Sea, more than 300 kilometers from the front line,” the Ukrainian president said in a social media post. “Our Palianytsia jet-powered drones, Neptune missiles, and unmanned naval systems successfully struck the designated targets. Hits on air defense positions, piers, and seaport infrastructure have been confirmed.”
Ukraine’s campaign in the Black Sea could be bolstered by the EU’s recently adopted policy allowing countries to seize and sell Russian oil being illicitly transported by Russian ships or vessels operating under foreign flags in violation of sanctions.
The European Union and United Kingdom have seized five tankers of Russian oil thus far in 2026, though three detained by France were eventually released.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is warning that such seizures would amount, in Moscow’s assessment, to “piracy.”
“We see the authorities of certain countries attempting, in violation of international maritime law, to restrict the movement of vessels operated by our businesses,” Putin said Wednesday in a meeting with Pacific Fleet personnel. “And recently, they went so far as to consider seizing our vessels and selling the property they have plundered from us. This is, of course, nothing other than piracy and robbery.”
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Putin threatened on Wednesday to take similar actions against Western nations in retaliation wherever possible if the policy is carried out.
“We will not necessarily act in the waters where raids on our ships and vessels are being planned, but wherever we ourselves consider it necessary and appropriate,” the Russian president warned. “Anywhere, including in the Pacific Fleet’s area of responsibility. We know the routes, what they are carrying and whose ships they are.”
He claimed that approximately 379 vessels sailing under “unfriendly” flags have passed through Russia’s economic zone around the Kuril Islands since April 24, and that his military was conducting a “detailed analysis” of maritime traffic.