Kaja Kallas qualifies Ukraine's strikes on Russian refineries as lawful self-defence

EU position on attacks on Russian oil facilities

Kaja Kallas, who holds the position of High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, assessed Ukraine's actions regarding the targeting of Russian oil refineries. She qualified these strikes as a lawful instrument for ending the aggressive war started by Russia.

In a conversation with Euronews journalists, the politician emphasised that from the perspective of international law, such actions constitute an act of self-defence. According to her, it is the oil plants that generate the funds used to conduct hostilities. Kallas added that the fastest way to stop such strikes is to end the war.

Context: energy ceasefire and US position

These comments came against the backdrop of recent statements by US President Donald Trump. He announced an agreement under which Russia is to supply over 300,000 tonnes of diesel fuel amid a global energy crisis. Following this, Trump announced a so-called "energy ceasefire", which envisaged a cessation of attacks by both sides on energy infrastructure.

Kaja Kallas explained her position by referring to the economic realities of the conflict:

«Якщо подивитися на ситуацію загалом, то більшість коштів на фінансування цієї війни надходить від продажу нафти. Саме тому Україна також атакує ці об’єкти [нафтопереробні заводи], тоді як Росія б’є по енергетичній інфраструктурі всередині України, щоб завдати українцям якомога більше страждань прийдешньої зими» (If you look at the situation as a whole, most of the funds for financing this war come from oil sales. That is why Ukraine also attacks these facilities [oil refineries], while Russia strikes energy infrastructure inside Ukraine to inflict as much suffering on Ukrainians as possible next winter), she stated.

Call for pressure on the aggressor

The EU High Representative stressed that the roles of aggressor and victim are clearly distinguished in this conflict. In her view, the United States should join European partners and exert pressure on Russia, not on Ukraine. Kallas assured that the European Union will continue to support Kyiv, which has not capitulated.

Statistics on strikes on oil industry facilities

Ukraine has intensified its campaign against Russian oil infrastructure. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defence, 12 major oil refineries were hit in September alone.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) reports that as of the end of August, only five of Russia's 32 largest oil refineries had avoided Ukrainian drone attacks. Some enterprises have been struck up to 15 times since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.