Germany allows Ukraine to strike Russian territory with German weapons

Lina PortmanMay 30, 2024

0 1 minute read

Berlin is cautiously changing its position to allow Ukraine to use German-supplied weapons for defensive actions against Russia, including striking military targets inside Russian territory, according to Politico.

Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the United States has provided military aid to Ukraine but has repeatedly asked it not to fire American-made weapons at Russian territory, fearing an escalation of the war. However, several European leaders, including NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and French President Emmanuel Macron, have called on President Biden to lift these restrictions.

On May 28, Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced the decision, saying that Ukraine could use German weapons. “within the framework of international law» against an aggressor like Russia, including within Russian territory.

“I find it strange“, Scholz told reporters, “when some people argue and say that they [the Ukrainians] are not allowed to defend themselves and take appropriate action.“

On May 29, Scholz spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit told reporters that Ukraine “defensive action is not limited to one's own territory, but [can] also be extended to the territory of the aggressor,» says Politico. Hebestreit stressed, however, that the precise agreements with kyiv on the use of German weapons remained confidential.

A person close to the German government's position told Politico that Scholz supported using Western weapons for attacks inside Russia, although further details were not provided.

The Guardian: Scholz and Macron seem in favor of Ukraine being able to hit Russia with Western weapons

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