At the urging of Vice President JD Vance, Ukraine has suspended attacks on oil tankers using the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which sits on the Black Sea. The request was made in late July, but first reported today by the Financial Times, citing Ukrainian officials. Vance's plea sprang from the Trump administration's worries that Ukraine's attacks were creating dangerous instability in global fuel markets. There were also concerns that strikes on vessels transporting Kazakhstan crude oil to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal at Novorossiysk were detrimental to American companies. “We very carefully listen to our American partners,” a senior Ukrainian told the Times, noting that the CPC has been “a regular part of the conversation with the US and the Kazakh governments." An unnamed American official confirmed the request, and placing it in the context of broader stability in the international petroleum trade: “The administration views the CPC as a vital conduit of Kazakhstan-origin energy for European markets that serves as an alternative to Russian energy supplies.” The American request was made in a July 31 call with Ukrainian Prime Minister Volodymyr Zelensky. The attacks stopped immediately, the Ukrainian officials said. Zelensky specifically committed to refraining from strikes on CPC facilities and non-Russian ships, provided they aren't carrying Russian oil or other products, and haven't been sanctioned by Ukraine. Note that other parts of the port still seem to be in Ukraine's crosshairs: 🇺🇦 🇷🇺 #UPDATE | The true extent of the overnight strikes in Novorossiysk emerged at daylight. Heavy smoke billows directly next to the port and rail logistics hub, severely disrupting Russia's southern supply chain.