Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said the United States was mistaken to believe that Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure could pressure Moscow to resume peace talks, warning that escalation could prolong the war and force Russia to create a larger "security zone," Reuters reported on July 9. Peskov also said Moscow was aware that the United States continued to supply Ukraine with weapons and military technology.

Peskov's comments followed U.S. President Donald Trump's statement at the NATO summit in Ankara that Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries could help bring the war closer to an end. Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly rebuked advisers who suggested a compromise based on a ceasefire along the current front line and still appears to view full control of Donbas as the minimum political victory he needs.