Attacking Russian oil industry improves Ukraine’s negotiating position — Budanov

He predicted “a lot of new” developments from the Russians at upcoming talks, Ukrinform news agency reported.

Asked whether the strikes were influencing negotiations, Budanov said, “They definitely do; that much is clear.” He added that whether Russia has changed its position because of the strikes is debatable.

“At the next negotiations with them, I think we will hear a lot of new things,” the official said.

“In any case, this significantly strengthens our position and does not make it weaker. We must do everything so that our victorious position is strengthened. And any means to achieve the goal are justified and correct.”

Over the past several weeks, the Ukrainian military focused on a string of daily drone strikes targeting oil loading terminals across Russian ports in the Baltic and Black seas. Degrading Moscow’s ability to maintain export volumes helps reduce the windfall Russia gets from spiking oil prices.