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[INTERNATIONAL] · Russia, EU, Türkiye, United States, Ukraine · 10 sources

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Russia threatens to target vessels amid Black Sea shipping disruptions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Russia will target commercial vessels belonging to nations that implement policies involving the seizure and sale of Russian cargo. This threat follows the European Union's decision to inspect Russian ships, which Lavrov characterized as an attempt to restrict Russia's global market revenues and an act of 'piracy.'

In the Black Sea, shipping disruptions have significantly impacted energy trade. Data indicates that Turkey's oil imports from Russian ports fell from 1.2 million tons in June to approximately 900,000 tons in July. Black Sea-sourced shipments also saw a sharp decline, dropping from 600,000 tons to just over 300,000 tons during the same period. These disruptions are attributed to Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, which caused a 20 percent decline in CPC oil loadings in July.

In response to these supply challenges, Turkey has begun diversifying its energy sources by importing oil from Brazil and Guyana. Meanwhile, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, including instability in the Bab el-Mandeb and Hormuz straits, continue to drive up global energy prices and impact logistics, specifically affecting Turkish exporters in sectors like textiles and carpets.

Entities

Bab el-Mandeb Strait · European Union · Red Sea · Russia · Sergey Lavrov · Strait of Hormuz · Turkey · Turkish Exporters Assembly · Vladimir Putin

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