"A legitimate military target": Parliamentary Committee Chairman Merezhko on Pentagon's criticism of strikes on Russian refineries

Oleksandr Merezhko, MP, Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Foreign Policy and Interparliamentary Cooperation, said this on the Espreso TV channel.

"Article 52 of the First Protocol to the Geneva Conventions defines "military" and "civilian" objects. In fact, this issue is quite controversial. The provision that contains this definition, the distinction between a military objective and a civilian object, is also quite vague. However, in my opinion, as an international lawyer, the refineries in Russia cannot be considered civilian objects, they are military objectives, in the context and understanding of this article. According to this definition, a military objective is an object that contributes to military operations and whose destruction is associated with the weakening of the enemy's military position. Therefore, the strikes on the refineries, which are used by Russia for aggression and to maintain military power, are a legitimate military target. There is no doubt about it," said the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee.

Commenting on the statement by US Assistant Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin Celeste Wallander that Russian refineries are "civilian targets," Merezhko noted that Pentagon officials have the right to make such statements. However, Ukraine should continue to strike Russian refineries.

"The head of the Pentagon, Lloyd Austin, and his representatives can say that. Wallander worked for some time in Moscow. It is difficult to comment on how much this fact influenced her worldview. Indeed, it can be alarming. But we have to continue to fight the war the way we are fighting it. We cannot limit ourselves to fighting exclusively on the territory of Ukraine. If we want to win the war, we need to fight and conduct combat operations, including on the territory of the aggressor state. The United States is our largest partner in Ukraine. Friends should raise difficult issues and express dissatisfaction with each other, it is quite normal," Merezhko added.

• On April 10, US Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander said that Russian refineries are "civilian targets."

• Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin said that Ukraine's attacks on Russian oil refineries could affect global energy markets. He advised Ukrainians to focus on other goals.