The United States has in recent months helped Ukraine conduct long-range strikes on Russian energy facilities, in what officials claim is a joint effort to weaken Russia's economy and force President Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table. This was reported by the Financial Times, citing sources in Washington and Kyiv. According to the report, Ukraine received American intelligence to enable strikes on energy assets including oil refineries located far beyond the front line. The report also states that cooperation between the parties intensified last summer, with operations causing energy prices in Russia to rise.