US threatened to cut arms and intel sharing with Ukraine over refinery strikes

The United States informed Ukraine that it would cease intelligence sharing and halt weapons deliveries unless Kyiv stopped striking Russian oil refineries. This directive came as Russian forces continued attacks, including using civilians as human shields near Kupiansk and launching drone strikes that caused casualties and power outages in Kyiv and western Ukraine. Officials noted that US intelligence sharing remained intact, for now, despite Russian missiles bypassing Ukrainian air defenses.

The American position reflects a strategic calculation to prevent escalation and potential disruption to global energy markets. It places Kyiv in a difficult position, balancing its defensive needs against the demands of its primary military benefactor. Meanwhile, Baltic nations have pushed for a ban on Russian grain transit through the European Union, indicating a broader, albeit fragmented, effort to exert economic pressure on Moscow.