"After meeting with Russia’s finance minister, the Treasury secretary said Ukraine’s attacks on Russian oil infrastructure were contributing to a global energy shock driven mainly by the U.S. war with Iran."
"Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent named a new culprit this week for the high energy prices that are weighing on the world economy: Ukraine.
After two days of meetings in North Carolina with finance ministers from around the world, Mr. Bessent cited Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s oil infrastructure as part of the reason for the global energy shock.
The comments came after the United States angered some allies who have staunchly supported Ukraine for inviting Russia’s finance minister, Anton Siluanov, to the gathering of the Group of 20 nations. Four years into the war, Ukraine has recently resorted to launching drone attacks on Russian oil refineries, costing Russia tens of millions of barrels in refined oil exports and disrupting global supplies."
Alan Rappeport reports for the New York Times Sept. 3, 2026.
