Putin's energy strikes on Ukraine demand US reaction, warns rear admiral
Photo: Rear Admiral believes the US should respond to attacks on Ukraine's energy sector (Getty Images)
The US must respond to Russian strikes on Ukraine’s energy facilities. Moreover, such attacks should be viewed through the lens of economics and losses, according to US Navy Rear Admiral Michael Hewitt at the second international Black Sea Security Forum held in Odessa.
"Energy sovereignty is the Westfillian principle of the 21st century not borders and I think we're seeing that play out with Putin. He is attacking Ukraine’s energy infrastructure and in some way that is what we have to respond to," he said.
The US rear admiral added that after peace is achieved, he would like to see “economic interdependence between America and Ukraine,” because that, in his view, preserves US commitment.
"It's not to fighting Putin. It’s to what is the economic value of our two countries, and I think that’s limitless. And I'm very excited about that aspect of our relationship," Hewitt said.
Background: The Westphalian principle means that a state has the right to determine its own policies independently and is free from interference by other states. It is a fundamental principle of sovereignty that still defines international relations today.
US aid to Ukraine
Since the start of the full-scale war, the US has led in providing military aid to Ukraine. The US Secretary of Defense heads the Ukraine Defense Contact Group in the Ramstein format.
However, the situation changed after Donald Trump returned to the White House. The US State Department halted a USAID project aimed at restoring Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following Russian attacks.
Earlier, The New York Times reported that the Trump administration was not discussing further military aid to Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine is ready to purchase American weapons and air defense systems worth $30-50 billion, including Patriot systems or obtaining a license for their production.
In early May, Trump’s administration notified Congress about a license to export weapons to Ukraine worth $50 million or more.
