NATO chief backs Ukraine’s right to strike Russian targets

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg affirmed Ukraine’s right to defend itself by striking legitimate military targets in Russia, citing international law during a visit to new alliance member Sweden on Friday.

“Ukraine has the right to self-defense,” Stoltenberg stated at a news conference with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson at a military base near Stockholm.

“The right to self-defense also includes the right to hit legitimate military targets on the territory of the attacking party, the aggressor, in this case, Russia.”

‘Ukraine has right to hit targets on Russian territory’

Stoltenberg’s remarks come amid escalating tensions as the Kremlin warned Western nations against supplying Ukraine with weapons capable of striking Russian territory. President Vladimir Putin has threatened to arm the West’s enemies in retaliation.

“This is a war of aggression that Russia has initiated against a peaceful, democratic neighboring country, Ukraine, that at no point has been a threat to Russia,” Stoltenberg emphasized. “There is no question that Ukraine has the right to hit targets on Russian territory.”