US threatens to cut Ukraine arms support over Russian oil attacks

The United States has reportedly warned Ukraine that it could suspend a key weapons procurement mechanism if Kyiv continues attacking Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, raising fresh questions about Washington’s support for the war effort.

According to a report by the Financial Times, US officials have contacted Ukrainian authorities and several European capitals, urging them to halt attacks on Russian energy facilities. Washington has also reportedly threatened to restrict intelligence sharing with Ukraine if the strikes continue.

The claims, however, have not been independently verified by Reuters.

At the centre of the reported warning is the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), a mechanism through which European countries purchase American weapons for Ukraine. Any move by Washington to suspend the arrangement could create additional pressure on Kyiv as it seeks to maintain its military capabilities against Russian forces.

The reported threat signals a potentially significant shift in the use of US military assistance as leverage over Ukraine’s battlefield strategy. American weapons and intelligence have played an important role in supporting Kyiv’s defence since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Russian oil refineries and energy facilities have increasingly become targets of Ukrainian strikes, with Kyiv seeking to disrupt Moscow’s fuel production, military supply chains and revenues that help finance the war.

However, pressure from Washington to stop such attacks could complicate Ukraine’s efforts to weaken Russia’s war-making capacity, particularly if restrictions affect access to weapons and intelligence.

The reported warning also places European governments in a difficult position, as they rely on US-made weapons to support Ukraine while navigating their own security concerns.

It remains unclear whether Washington will implement the threatened restrictions or whether diplomatic engagement will persuade Kyiv to change its approach.

Neither the reported suspension of the procurement mechanism nor the possible limits on intelligence sharing have been independently confirmed by Reuters, leaving the precise scope of the US warning uncertain.