Main points
- The US administration has warned Ukraine against strikes on Russian energy facilities that could affect American economic interests.
- Analyst Valeriy Klochok noted that this US position is permanent due to the influence of economic interests and traditional lobbying by American business.
The Donald Trump administration has officially warned Ukraine about the inadmissibility of strikes on targets in Russia that could affect US economic interests. This includes, in particular, the attack by a Ukrainian drone on an oil facility, after which warnings were sounded in Washington.
Valeriy Klochok, head of the Center for Public Analytics “Vezha”, explained on Channel 24 why this US position is not new. According to him, similar signals have been sounded before, regardless of the name of the American president.
Why is this US position not a surprise?
The analyst emphasized that Washington's current reaction is not unique and does not depend on a specific name in the White House. According to him, Ukraine has heard similar signals before, when it came to attacks on Russian energy. He emphasized that in the issue of interaction with Moscow, the strategic logic of American administrations remains similar.
There is no difference between Biden and Trump. They are the same. How is their foreign policy towards Russia different? Nothing,
Klochok said.
He explained that the difference is more a matter of style – one avoids public contacts with the Kremlin, the other demonstrates a willingness to engage in open dialogue. However, in his opinion, the key goal remains pragmatic and is not only related to Ukraine.
The goal is to stop the war by freezing it, restore economic cooperation with Russia, and strengthen positions in the confrontation with China.
– the analyst explained.
He added that the Kremlin is closely monitoring such signals from Washington and trying to use them in its negotiating tactics.
Why does the US prohibit Ukraine from attacking Russian energy facilities?
Valeriy Klochok stated that the official warning from the US actually limits Ukraine's ability to influence the course of the war. According to him, in a situation where Russia is systematically attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure and civilian facilities, the requirement not to retaliate with strikes on its oil refining facilities looks at least contradictory. He emphasized that such a position creates an imbalance in approaches to assessing the actions of the parties.
It looks simply barbaric when we are told that it is impossible to attack Russian energy facilities, while Russia attacks ours,
Klochok said.
The analyst recalled that Ukrainians experienced a difficult winter under constant strikes on the power system, and this became a serious test for the civilian population.
There can be no justification even for strikes on military facilities in Ukraine, because we did not start this war. It must be stopped by the Kremlin,
– he emphasized.
Klochok added that in conditions of existential threat, Ukraine must proceed primarily from its own security interests.
Important! On the night of February 12, the Defense Forces of Ukraine struck the GRAU arsenal near Kotlubani in the Volgograd region. According to the General Staff, the facility stored missiles, artillery shells and aerial bombs. The Russian side confirmed the fire. Analysts note that the complete destruction of the warehouse was not recorded.
At the same time, he said, the reaction of American politicians to these attacks was restrained and not accompanied by tough decisions. That is why the current warnings about the Ukrainian strikes seem selective.
The influence of American business on the US position
Valery Klochok said that such signals from Washington should be considered not only in the political, but also in the economic plane. According to him, the issue of strikes on Russian energy directly affects the interests of American business, which traditionally lobby for its positions through the White House administration. He emphasized that such processes took place both under Biden and continue under Trump.
Their business lobbied for its interests through the Biden administration and is doing the same through the Trump administration,
Klochok said.
The analyst emphasized that in the great geopolitical game, the United States is guided primarily by its own strategic interests. According to him, decisions are made taking into account economic risks, global competition, and domestic political factors, and not only from the position of moral support for Ukraine. That is why Kyiv, in his opinion, should soberly evaluate the signals of its partners and form its own line of behavior, based on the security needs of the state.
Ukraine must act regardless of external assessments
Ukraine should not be guided by fluctuations in international policy or changes in the rhetoric of individual countries. The key task is to consistently reduce Russia's military potential. This primarily concerns strikes on the infrastructure that ensures the operation of the Russian military-industrial complex.
We just need to wave them off and continue doing our thing. Take out oil refining, take out the energy sector that provides Russia's military-industrial complex. Under the completely justified motive of reducing the capacity of the Russian military-industrial complex, and continue to do so,
Klochok said.
He stressed that the expectation of an “adequate assessment” of the war by all world leaders should not determine Ukraine's strategy. Ukraine is in an existential struggle, and this should be the starting point for decision-making. According to him, regardless of internal political discussions in the US or Europe, Kyiv's position should remain stable.
We have an existential challenge. Either we survive or we don't. So we have to shape our position in this way. We continue to do so,
– he added.
Ukraine's strategy must be pragmatic and consistent. It is not about an emotional reaction, but about a systematic weakening of Russia's resource base, regardless of the political situation.
What is known about the recent strikes on facilities in Russia?
- Long-range drones struck the Ukhta oil refinery in the Komi Republic, about 1,750 kilometers from the Ukrainian border. The attack caused a fire at the technological facilities of the enterprise, which is part of Lukoil.
- Drones have again attacked the Kaleykino oil pumping station in Tatarstan. The facility continued to burn after the previous strike. Smoke was recorded in the area of the tanks, information about the extent of damage is being clarified.
- The Neftegorsk gas processing plant in the Samara region was hit. According to Russian sources, two vertical stabilization columns were damaged. Local authorities said there were no casualties.