Here’s Why Biden is Urging Ukraine to Cease Attacks on Russian Refineries

The United States has been advising Ukraine against attacking Russian oil refineries, citing concerns that such strikes could escalate the war and lead to higher energy prices.

However, some Republican lawmakers are questioning whether this plea is motivated more by President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign than by energy strategy, suggesting that politics are being prioritized over the security of both the U.S. and Ukraine.

“It seems to me that the Biden administration is trying to avoid an increase in gas prices in an election year,” remarked Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., during a recent hearing with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, as reported by the Washington Post.

Another lawmaker, Rep. Austin Scott, R-Ga., questioned why Ukraine shouldn’t retaliate against Russian energy targets while Russia continues to target Ukraine’s oil and gas industry.

Despite multiple discussions with Kyiv, including talks with national security adviser Jake Sullivan and high-ranking defense and intelligence officials, Ukraine has remained steadfast in its approach, including carrying out an attack on Russia’s third-largest refinery on April 2, according to the Post.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy sees this focus as a positive development for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict, the Post noted.

Since January, Ukrainian forces have conducted numerous long-range strikes on Russian refineries, disrupting about 10% of Russia’s oil refinery capacity, coinciding with Biden’s reelection campaign as global oil prices reach a six-month high.

Biden’s stance on Ukraine’s strategy differs from that of Washington’s allies in Europe, who support the Ukrainian efforts, as reported by the Post.

“The Ukrainian people are acting in self-defense, and we see Russia as the aggressor,” stated French Foreign Minister Stéphane Séjourné.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron also defended Ukraine’s right to target Russian energy facilities, noting Russia’s indiscriminate attacks across Ukraine.