Kazakhstan Seeks Protection for Black Sea Oil Shipping After Drone Strikes as Russia Blames Ukraine

Overview

• Kazakhstan confirmed three tankers bound for the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s Black Sea terminal were hit by drones on January 13.
• Astana said the commercial vessels had required permits and identification equipment and stressed Kazakhstan is not a party to any armed conflict.
• The foreign ministry reported emergency meetings with European ambassadors and contacts with the United States to pursue measures under international law to secure hydrocarbon transport.
• Russia’s foreign ministry condemned the strikes, attributed them to Ukraine, labeled them terrorist acts, and endorsed Kazakhstan’s call for joint steps to prevent repeats.
• Moscow framed the incident as harmful to global and European energy stability and said the tankers were chartered to carry Kazakh oil for foreign consumers.