The battle for control of the sea could have implications for global energy markets and world food supplies. In Washington, Biden administration officials had expressed reservations early in the war about Ukraine striking targets or conducting sabotage inside Russia, including its Black Sea ports, fearing that such attacks would only escalate tensions with President Vladimir V. Putin. The United States has prohibited the use of American weapons in any attack against Russian territory, and American officials say they do not pick targets for Ukraine. But the United States and Western allies have long provided intelligence to Ukraine that, along with its own extensive intelligence-gathering networks, Kyiv uses to select targets. The Battle to Project PowerFor centuries, the Black Sea has been at the center of Russia’s efforts to extend its geopolitical and economic influence, leading to clashes with other world powers, including multiple wars with the Ottoman Empire.

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Persons: Oleksiy Neizhpapa, Biden, Vladimir V, Putin Organizations: Ukrainian, NATO, United Locations: Russian, Washington, Ukraine, Russia, United States, Ottoman Empire