According to sources familiar with the matter, the United States has advised Ukraine to cease its strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, cautioning that such actions, particularly drone strikes, could escalate tensions and lead to retaliatory measures, ultimately driving up global oil prices.
The report, published by the Financial Times on Friday, highlights concerns expressed by U.S. officials regarding the potential impact of these strikes.
Since March 12, when Ukraine initiated its targeting of Russia’s energy infrastructure, oil prices have experienced a significant increase, rising by nearly 4%. This escalation in prices has been attributed, at least in part, to the attacks on Russian facilities.
The potential for a further surge in gasoline prices within the United States is seen as a risk factor that could adversely affect President Joe Biden’s approval ratings and diminish his prospects for re-election.
The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has seen the use of drones by both sides to target critical infrastructure, military installations, and troop concentrations over the past two years.
