Kremlin says it would prefer US told Kyiv to halt strikes on residential buildings not refineries

MOSCOW, March 22 (Reuters) – The Kremlin on Friday commented on a media report that Washington had told Ukraine to stop striking Russian oil refineries, saying it was a matter for the United States, but that it would have preferred a different request.

The Financial Times, citing people familiar with the matter. reported on Friday that the United States had urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, warning that drone strikes risk provoking retaliation and driving up global oil prices.

Asked about the report, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said:

“This is a matter for the United States. We would prefer that the United States call on the Kyiv regime to abandon its essence, and above all terrorist activity against civilian targets and residential homes.”

His comments appeared to be a reference to Ukrainian shelling of Russia’s Belgorod border region where officials say at least 26 people have been killed since Feb. 15. Russia’s own attacks in Ukraine have killed many thousands of civilians there.

The attacks helped boost oil prices that have risen nearly 4% so far since March 12, when Ukraine first started targeting Russia’s energy infrastructure. A further rally in gasoline prices in the United States would weaken President Joe Biden ratings and undermine his re-election chances.

Russia and Ukraine have both used drones to strike critical infrastructure, military installations and troop concentrations in their more than two-year war, with Kyiv hitting Russian refineries and energy facilities in recent months.