Amid growing frustration in Ukraine, NATO countries that provide weapons to the country should allow its armed forces to use them against military targets in Russia, according to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. In an interview with the Economist, Stoltenberg specifically mentioned the United States and called on allies to lift restrictions on weapon use by Ukraine.
Ukraine has been relying on homemade drones to hit targets on Russian soil, which have been limited in their effectiveness. The situation escalated on May 10 when Russia launched a major offensive near Kharkiv, leading to ongoing aerial bombardment of the city. Stoltenberg expressed concern for Ukraine’s ability to defend itself and criticized European NATO members for not delivering promised artillery shells.
In a separate interview, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky requested permission to use donated weapons on Russian targets for defensive purposes. Western analysts have noted that the U.S. has controlled the weapons provided to Ukraine, with delays in providing critical support. Despite the risk of escalation, there are indications that the U.S. may allow Ukraine more leeway in targeting Russian military assets.
Stoltenberg emphasized that supplying weapons to Ukraine is distinct from direct NATO involvement in the conflict and underscored NATO’s role in supporting Ukraine without engaging in combat operations directly. The debate around allowing Ukraine to target Russian positions highlights the complexities and risks involved in the conflict, with efforts to prevent a larger-scale conflict in Europe being at stake.
Overall, while diplomatic efforts continue to navigate these complexities and potential for escalation, Stoltenberg’s statements reflect NATO’s approach of supporting Ukraine while mitigating broader conflict risks in the region.
