BRUSSELS: NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg pushed at the start of a meeting of the alliance’s foreign ministers on Thursday to let Ukraine use Western weapons to strike inside Russia, a move sought by Kyiv but opposed for now by its chief backer Washington.
The meeting, convened to finalize a package of support for Ukraine ahead of NATO’s summit in Washington in July, has been overshadowed by the debate over whether Kyiv should be permitted to use longer-range weaponry to target military sites in Russia.
While countries like Britain and the Netherlands support Ukraine’s right to use their weapons for strikes in Russia, the United States and Germany have been cautious, fearing it could escalate the conflict and draw them into direct confrontation with Moscow.
Stoltenberg, addressing the opening dinner with ministers, emphasized the need to reconsider restrictions on Ukraine to enable it to defend itself effectively, particularly as heavy fighting continues along the border between Russia and Ukraine.
French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent statement advocating for Ukraine’s right to “neutralize” bases in Russia used for launching strikes has added momentum to the debate. However, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has remained cautious, stressing that Ukraine should act within the bounds of international law.
Meanwhile, the White House reiterated its opposition to Ukraine using US arms to strike inside Russia, although Secretary of State Antony Blinken hinted at a potential shift in strategy.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned of “serious consequences” if Western countries grant approval for such actions by Ukraine.
Discussions also revolve around a support package for Ukraine, as its membership in the alliance remains a distant prospect. Stoltenberg aims to secure multi-year commitments from NATO members on aid to Ukraine, although disagreements persist over the specifics of such pledges.
One area where NATO may find common ground is in taking over coordination of weapon supplies to Ukraine from the United States, potentially insulating future deliveries against political shifts in Washington.
