Ukraine must be free to strike military targets in Russia with weapons supplied by Western partners. It is Jens Stoltenberg, secretary general of NATO, who calls for a turning point in the relationship between Kiev and the allies. Ukraine, in particular, cannot use the long-range Atacms missiles, supplied by the US, to hit targets on Russian territory. The topic is also being debated in the United States, where Secretary of State Antony Blinken is pressing for the White House’s approval.
“This is an aggressive war by Russia against Ukraine. Ukraine has the right to defend itself. And this includes attacks against targets on Russian territory,” Stoltenberg says in an interview with the Economist widely reported by Ukrainian media.
“The time has come for the Allies to consider whether to lift some of the restrictions they have placed on the use of weapons supplied to Ukraine. We will not participate directly from NATO territory in combat operations” in the skies “or on the territory of Ukraine, especially now that in Kharkiv, near the border, there is a lot of fighting. Ukraine does not have the capability to use these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory, it is very difficult to defend oneself in this way.”
With operations in the Kharkiv region, Russia aims to create a buffer zone that forces Ukrainian artillery to retreat: in this framework, Kiev cannot hit territories controlled by Moscow. With the Atacms, which can hit targets at 300 km, the picture would change.
“NATO will not send troops”
Stoltenberg reiterates that the sending of NATO troops is not a possibility. “Our goal was twofold: to support Ukraine, as we do, but also to ensure that the conflict does not turn into a full-scale war. We will not be part of the conflict,” he says.
Stoltenberg then sends a message to Russia: Cyber attacks could trigger Article 5 if they were extremely significant. If the cyber offensive was “massive, we could invoke Article 5 and respond not only in cyberspace but also in other areas to protect NATO allies”.
Kharkiv, Ukraine prepares counterattack
Stoltenberg’s words come at a time when Ukraine claims progress in Kharkiv region. Kiev claims to have “stopped” the Russian attack in the northern oblast and has launched a counterattack in this area in the north of the country. “As for the Kharkiv axis, the enemy has been carrying out an offensive operation since May 10 in an attempt to create a buffer zone in the region,” says Ihor Prokhorenko of the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
“The situation is stable, under control, the Russian troops have been stopped” and, he adds quoted by Rbc-Ukraine, “the Ukrainian defense forces are planning and carrying out offensive operations to restore lost positions”.
