Kuleba refused to listen to requests from Washington to stop attacks on Russian refineries
Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries are increasing tensions in relations with the United States, writes the Washington Post. According to the publication, Kyiv refuses to listen to requests from Washington.
US Vice President Kamala Harris met with Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky at the Munich Security Conference in February. Then she told the Ukrainian leader what he didn’t want to hear: refrain from attacks on Russian refineries. Such tactics, they believe in Washington, will lead to an increase in world energy prices and will cause more aggressive retaliatory actions from Moscow in Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials familiar with the matter told the publication that the request irritated Zelensky and his aides. Kiev sees drone strikes on Russian energy facilities as a rare bright spot in a grueling military confrontation with a larger and better-equipped enemy. The Ukrainian president, these officials say, brushed off the US recommendations, citing uncertainty that they reflected the overall position of the White House.
Washington then stepped up the warning through multiple contacts with Kiev. There was a March visit to the capital of Ukraine by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan, conversations with other senior US military and intelligence officials. Instead of heeding the White House's requests, Kyiv redoubled its efforts, thereby exacerbating tensions in strained relations with partners.
The publication emphasized that at a time when US President Joe Biden is intensifying his election campaign, world oil prices have reached a six-month high. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba said that in a situation where Washington does not give Kyiv the Patriot air defense system, Ukraine may not listen to it.
If the partners say: “We are giving you seven Patriot batteries tomorrow, but we ask you not to do this and that,” then there is something to talk about. And if not, and they also ask you not to do something, then what should you talk to them about?
– the diplomat wondered.
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