Explaining complex things in simple words: Attacks on Russian oil refineries, sky protection, NATO anniversary

ATTACKS ON RUSSIAN OIL REFINERIES

On April 3, at a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on statements condemning Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.

▪ It was not Ukraine, but Russia, that started the devastating war. Since the first days of the full-scale invasion, Russia has been attacking Ukrainian refineries, oil depots, other energy facilities, civil and critical infrastructure, and housing of Ukrainians.

▪ Ukraine is grateful for the political support of the international community and the condemnation of Russian attacks, but so far, no statements of concern have affected Moscow and its aggressive war against Ukraine. Unfortunately, Russia only understands the language of force, not statements.

▪ Russian refineries are legitimate military targets because they are both a source of financing aggression against Ukraine and logistical support for the Russian Armed Forces. In conditions of insufficient control over compliance with sanction restrictions, drone attacks on Russian refineries should be regarded, at least, as attempts to balance this situation.

▪ All those who condemn Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries should first visit Kharkiv or Kherson and see what Russia has done to Avdiivka, Bakhmut, and other Ukrainian cities and villages.

▪ We need to end the war as soon as possible. However, this requires greater Western efforts to help Ukraine. 

SKY PROTECTION

On April 3, at the meeting of NATO ministers in Brussels, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba discussed the issues of strengthening Ukraine's air defense with his colleagues from the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain.

▪ Ukraine urgently needs to strengthen its defense against enemy ballistic missiles because Moscow does not stop the missile terror of Ukrainian cities.

▪ Dmytro Kuleba called on partners to provide Ukraine with more Patriot systems that are capable of intercepting ballistic missiles. So far, Ukraine has received only a small and clearly insufficient number of them.

▪ Patriot systems from Western partners are not a scarce type of weapon. Therefore, the transfer of Patriot systems to Ukraine is a matter of political will, not physical ability.

▪ Ukraine is the only country in the world that defends itself from ballistic missile strikes almost daily. Therefore, Patriot systems nowadays should operate in Ukraine and not be stored in hangars.

▪ Western air defense systems can not only save the lives of Ukrainian citizens, but also prevent the destruction of Ukrainian cities, which will significantly save partners' resources for the post-war reconstruction and recovery of Ukraine. 

NATO ANNIVERSARY

75 years ago, on April 4, 1949, the Washington Treaty on the Establishment of NATO was signed.

▪ NATO is the most successful defense alliance in history, which has proven its stability and reliability for the participating countries.

▪ NATO's goal is collective defense, not aggressive warfare. The Alliance does not threaten anyone, but only responds to external threats.

▪ Like 75 years ago, the greatest threat to the free world comes from Moscow. Therefore, NATO supports countries that have experienced aggression or could potentially become victims of a Russian attack.

▪ The growth of the Russian threat has convinced the so far neutral countries of the advantages of collective defense. This is what led to the accession of Finland and Sweden to NATO.

▪ Ukraine receives significant NATO support in countering the Russian aggressor, and full membership in the Alliance is a justified strategic course for the country.

Center for Strategic Communication and Information Security