Trump approves Ukraine’s strikes on Putin’s shadow fleet
13 December 2025 01:14
The United States under Donald Trump’s administration has actually given Ukraine the green light to strike Russia’s “shadow fleet,” The Atlantic writes, citing American and Ukrainian officials, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
While under Joe Biden, Washington feared an escalation and opposed attacks on Russian oil logistics in international waters, the policy has changed since the Republican administration took over the White House. According to the newspaper, Trump did not object to the strikes and in some cases approved the provision of intelligence to Ukraine to target Russian energy facilities.
Amid U.S. pressure on Kyiv to speed up peace talks, Ukraine has in recent weeks blown up five shadow fleet tankers carrying Russian oil. The SBU claimed responsibility for the attacks in the Black Sea, while Moscow called it “piracy” and threatened to retaliate against ships carrying Ukrainian goods. The confrontation led to a spike in ship insurance prices.
According to The Atlantic, despite his public rhetoric about wanting a “peaceful resolution,” Trump has supported Ukraine’s efforts to cripple the Russian oil industry. In October, his administration imposed sanctions on Rosneft and Lukoil, which paralyzed some Russian exports and led to a decline in Russian oil prices.
At the same time, the United States recognizes the risks to the global market, but considers the strikes an important tool to put pressure on Putin. According to the newspaper, Washington expects that the weakening of Russia’s oil logistics will force the Kremlin to actively seek ways to negotiate. Former Ukrainian Infrastructure Minister Oleksandr Kubrakov, who previously opposed attacks on civilian vessels, now considers such an escalation justified: “If this forces Putin to the negotiating table, the card can be played.”
