Ukraine receives US warning regarding strikes on Novorossiysk - Stefanishyna

Ukraine's Ambassador to the United States Olha Stefanishyna stated that she received an official warning regarding Ukrainian strikes on the Russian port of Novorossiysk, which allegedly affected American economic interests, CNN reports.

"We have heard that Ukrainian attacks on Novorossiysk affected some American investments made through Kazakhstan. And we have heard from the State Department that we should refrain from, you know, attacks on American interests," Stefanishyna said at a briefing.

Stefanishyna said she received a demarche—a formal diplomatic communication—from the US State Department on this matter.

At the same time, she emphasized that the United States did not suggest that Kyiv refrain from attacks on Russian military and energy infrastructure in general.

"This was specifically related to the fact that American economic interests were violated there. We took note of this," she said.

Furthermore, according to Stefanishyna, the letter from the State Department emphasized that the United States does not currently have the same level of economic interests in Ukraine as it does in Kazakhstan.

"I was very, very sorry that in 35 years of Ukraine's independence, having had so many opportunities, we never reached a situation where we could do the same," she noted.

Stefanishyna also called on American lawmakers to pass a law strengthening sanctions against Moscow, stating that the delay in its adoption is viewed as a victory for Moscow.

"If we can impose more sanctions and exert more pressure on Russia, it will not be able to withdraw from negotiations," she added.