US Republican defends Ukraine's strikes on Russian oil refineries despite Trump's criticism
Kevin Cramer (photo: RBC-Ukraine)
Strikes on Russian oil refineries are a justified way to destroy sources of funding for Russia's war, while global fuel prices are affected by conflicts in all oil-producing regions, Republican Congressman Kevin Cramer said during a briefing in response to a question from an RBC-Ukraine correspondent.
He commented on US President Donald Trump's claims that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries are allegedly driving up gasoline prices in the United States. He explained that oil and petroleum products are globally traded commodities, meaning their prices are determined by the global market.
According to him, any conflict in an oil-producing region affects fuel prices. Therefore, both the situation in the Persian Gulf and attacks on Russian oil refineries have an impact.
The congressman noted that oil and the products derived from it are commodities traded on the global market.
"They are traded and priced globally. And conflict in any producing country or state is gonna have an effect on global price. And so they both can be right. Both conflicts are affecting," Cramer said.
At the same time, he emphasized that the US still produces more oil than the Middle East or Russia and has the capacity to do more domestically to refine significantly more of that crude oil.
Ukraine destroys sources of war funding
The congressman stressed that Ukraine's Defense Forces are fully justified in striking Russian oil infrastructure.
"It is impossible to blame Ukraine or your leadership for attacking the very thing that funds Vladimir Putin's unprovoked illegal war. That is a leverage point," he emphasized.
Expanding Starlink capabilities
Cramer also supported Senator Roger Wicker's position on expanding the use of the Starlink satellite system for Ukrainian troops.
He noted that it would be excellent if Starlink opened up its system to enable targeting of other types of targets, as this would give Ukraine additional capabilities on the battlefield.
"The sooner that Ukraine has more leverage, the sooner we can have a negotiated outcome," the congressman concluded.
Trump recently claimed that Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries, rather than the war in the Middle East, were responsible for rising diesel prices.
In recent weeks, Trump has repeatedly stated that Ukraine should stop striking Russian infrastructure, claiming that these attacks are causing a global diesel shortage.
