Russia has rejected claims by the United States that Ukrainian military strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could help bring the war closer to an end, insisting that increased military pressure will only prolong the conflict rather than encourage peace negotiations.
The response came after US officials suggested that Ukraine’s long-range drone attacks on key Russian oil facilities, refineries, and military targets could increase pressure on Moscow and create conditions for meaningful diplomatic talks.
Ukraine has significantly expanded its campaign of long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes inside Russian territory in recent months. Kyiv has defended the operations as a legitimate response to Russia’s continued missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, civilian infrastructure, and power facilities.
The issue gained renewed attention during a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Responding to questions about the strikes, Trump said the attacks represented an escalation but suggested they could ultimately help end the war.
“It’s an escalation, but it’s also an escalation that can help lead to an end,” Trump said.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also expressed support for the strategy, saying damage to Russia’s energy infrastructure could provide the leverage needed to push Moscow toward serious peace negotiations.
However, the Kremlin dismissed the US position, arguing that Washington misunderstands Russia’s response to military pressure.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the belief that escalating attacks on Russian territory would force Moscow into diplomatic concessions was misguided.
“We see certain misconceptions within the White House administration—that by escalating military pressure it can help move to a peace settlement. That is a mistaken view,” Peskov told reporters.
He warned that continued cross-border attacks would likely extend the war instead of ending it. Peskov added that Russia would respond by creating what he described as a “larger security zone,” a term Moscow has previously used to refer to expanding its military presence and territorial control in eastern Ukraine to push Ukrainian forces farther from the Russian border.
Ukraine’s drone campaign has had a noticeable impact on Russia’s energy sector. Repeated strikes on oil depots and refineries have disrupted fuel supplies in several regions, forcing Russian authorities to introduce temporary restrictions on refined fuel exports.
Despite remaining one of the world’s largest crude oil exporters, Russia has experienced localized fuel shortages in many regions as the conflict continues, highlighting the growing economic impact of Ukraine’s long-range strike campaign on critical infrastructure.
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