Permission for Ukraine to strike Russia with Western weapons: NATO reaction
Photo: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
Ukraine should have the ability to defend itself against Russian aggression. The right to self-defense allows strikes to be made on targets within the aggressor's territory, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with Radio Free Europe.
"It should be remembered, this is military aggression. Russia has attacked another country – a clear violation of international law. According to international law, self-defense is legitimate, given what Ukraine is doing, namely defending themselves," he said.
The NATO Secretary General welcomed the decision of partners to allow Ukraine to use provided Western weapons to strike Russia in defense of Kharkiv. He emphasized that Ukraine should have the ability to defend itself.
"It would be very difficult if Ukrainians were forced to acknowledge that artillery batteries, missile batteries, or airfields on the Russian side were to some extent safe for Russians, as Ukrainians could not use this weaponry against them," Stoltenberg believes.
He declined to comment on whether Ukraine could attack radar stations on Russian territory but emphasized that operations must comply with international law and be conducted responsibly.
Preceding this
Recall, yesterday, May 31, it became known that the US and Germany allowed Ukraine to use provided weapons to strike Russian territory. However, the countries have set limitations. American and German weapons are allowed for use only in border regions of the Russian Federation, where attacks on Kharkiv may be prepared.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the US had conveyed a signal through military channels. He stated that he wants to see how this will be implemented in practice.
It is worth noting that a number of other partners of Ukraine have stated that they do not restrict Ukraine in the use of the provided weaponry.
