U.S. does not support Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil refineries, but is there a request to stop?
The U.S. does not support Ukrainian strikes on Russian territory, State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said at a March 26 briefing, though he declined to comment on whether they had asked Ukraine to cease attacking Russian oil refineries.
Miller's remarks came in response to a journalist's request to comment on recent press reports alleging that the U.S. had urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries.
Read also: Ukraine’s drone strike campaign against Russian oil refineries
"I’m not going to speak to specific conversations, but it has always been our position since the outset of this war that we do not encourage or support Ukraine taking strikes outside its own territory," Miller said.
Read also: Ukraine’s strategic strikes aim to undermine Russia's economy and cut petrodollar flow to war effort
The spokesperson again avoided directly answering whether there were discussions about oil refineries, repeating that Ukraine's government is well aware of the American position, so "it’s not something that they would — of which they would be unaware."
Did the U.S. call for ending attacks Russian oil refineries?
The U.S. has asked Ukraine to stop attacks on Russia's energy infrastructure, as it could lead to an increase in global oil prices and corresponding Russian actions, the Financial Times, citing three sources, reported on March 22.
Read also: Attacks on Russian refineries may affect global oil supply — report
Ukraine has already responded to similar calls "by achieving its goals and conducting highly successful operations" on Russian territory, said Vice Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanshyna.
Statements from other officials indicate that Ukraine deems Russian oil refineries as legitimate military targets.
The U.S. has not demanded that Ukraine cease the attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, asserted Ukrainian Presidential Office head, Mykhailo Podolyak.
The White House responded to the Financial Times' claims by saying that it does not encourage or support Ukrainian attacks within Russia.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba would not confirm information that the U.S. had asked Ukraine not to strike Russian oil refineries on March 26.
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