US reveals why it told Kiev not to attack Russian oil depots — RT World News
Defense Secretary Austin said Washington is concerned about global fuel prices
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told a Senate committee on Tuesday that Ukraine should pursue military objectives because strikes on Russian refineries could push up global oil prices.
Kiev has launched a series of drone strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in the past two months, targeting refineries and storage facilities in multiple regions.
“These attacks could have a knock-on effect regarding the global energy situation.” Austin told the Senate Armed Services Committee, during a hearing on the annual military budget. “Ukraine is better off pursuing tactical and operational objectives that can directly impact the current fight.”
This sparked a dispute between Senator Tom Cotton, a Republican from Arkansas, who described the Ukrainian strikes as effective and claimed that the Biden administration only… “He doesn't want gas prices to go up in an election year.”
Global oil prices have reached their highest levels in six months, but Washington insists this is due to conflict in the Middle East and its sanctions and restrictions. “Ceiling price” On Russian oil exports was effective. Meanwhile, Moscow mentioned Oil exports will be higher in 2023 than before the conflict in Ukraine.
Austin's testimony is further confirmation of reports that the United States has asked Ukraine to stop attacks on the refinery. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky had previously said that Washington's reaction “It wasn't positive.”
However, there is no indication that Kiev is ready to obey Washington on this issue. Earlier this week, Ukrainian military intelligence announced that strikes on oil refineries in Russia would expand.
Ukraine initially announced that the drone attacks were aimed at disrupting fuel supplies to the Russian military “Delivering a symbolic blow by bringing the war closer to Moscow.” In a recent interview, Zelensky sought to reframe it as a form of deterrence, because Kiev was running out of Western-supplied missiles for its air defenses.
Both Zelensky and Austin have asked the US Congress to approve more than $60 billion in military aid to Ukraine. Zelensky said that without it, Kiev would almost certainly lose the war. On the other hand, Austin offered aid as a way to provide employment for American workers in the military industry.
More than $50 billion in “National Security Attaché” Austin told the Senate that funding would eventually wind up across at least 30 federal states. Pentagon officials say makers of everything from ammunition to submarines would benefit from the bill.
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