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(Reuters) – The United States urged Ukraine to stop attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, warning that drone strikes risk provoking retaliation and boosting global oil prices, the Financial Times reported on Friday, citing sources aware of the matter.
The attacks have helped boost oil prices, which have so far risen nearly 4% since March 12, when Ukraine began targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure. A further rise in gasoline prices in the United States would weaken President Joe Biden’s credit rating and undermine his re-election chances. [O/R]
Both Russia and Ukraine have used drones to strike critical infrastructure, military installations and troop concentrations in their more than two-year war, with Kiev striking Russian refineries and energy facilities in recent months.