NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is convinced that Ukraine has the right to use weapons supplied by allies to strike legitimate military targets on the territory of the Russian Federation, he said at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Washington on Thursday.

“I think it was important to understand that in the beginning of the war, or actually until quite recently, most of the fighting took place on Ukrainian territory. But since Russia opened a new front in Kharkiv, the front line and the borderline is more or less the same. So, the only way to hit military targets missile launchers or airfields, which are conducting attacks against Ukraine is to hit military targets on Russian territory because the frontline and the borderline is pretty much the same and therefore are welcomed Allies have reduced loosen their restrictions. And there's no doubt that Ukraine has the right to use the weapons that they have received their own weapons but also weapons that have been donated by Allies to hit legitimate military targets on Russian territory,” Stoltenberg explained.

At the same time the Secretary General recalled that “this is a war of aggression launched by Russia against a democratic friendly neighbour, Ukraine.” “Russia invaded Ukraine. That's a blatant violation of international law and according to international law, Ukraine, of course has the right to self-defence. NATO Allies have the right to help and uphold Ukraine’s right to self-defence without becoming party to the conflict. And the right of self-defence includes also the right to strike legitimate military targets on the territory of the aggressor, Russia,” Stoltenberg said.