Zakharova challenges Estonian premier’s remarks on strikes against Russian refineries

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova questioned Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal’s authority to speak for the European Union about supporting strikes on Russian oil refineries.

RIA Novosti and RBC reported her response on October 11. Writing on Telegram, Zakharova argued that such remarks were drawing Europe into confrontation. Her criticism does not establish that the EU has adopted a decision to support the attacks.

RBC, citing Estonian broadcaster ERR, reported that Michal criticised a Russian-US diesel agreement on October 10. RIA Novosti cited his remarks about EU assistance for Ukrainian attacks on Russian refineries.

On October 5, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukraine should answer for strikes on Russian economic infrastructure. Russia’s Defence Ministry had also announced plans to intensify attacks on Ukrainian military targets, defence-industry facilities and associated infrastructure in response to Kyiv’s plans to step up strikes on refineries.