Stoltenberg: NATO arms policy change strengthens Ukraine's defense of Kharkiv

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg said he was more confident in Ukraine's ability to successfully defend the city of Kharkiv now that NATO allies have eased restrictions on the use of weapons they supply to strike targets in Russia.

The NATO chief said this during an interview with RFE/RL on the sidelines of NATO. meeting of foreign ministers in Prague on May 31.

Stoltenberg told RFE/RL that the policy change, such as that made for example by NATO members like Germany on May 30, was “legitimate.”“ as Ukraine defends itself, particularly the city of Kharkiv, located just 35 kilometers from Ukraine's border with Russia and which has been the subject of almost daily attacks since Russia launched a new cross-border offensive there about three weeks old.

Until now, Ukrainian forces have been unable to strike Russian forces massed on Russian territory with Western-supplied weapons because the United States and some other Western allies of Ukraine feared that would does not intensify the war.

“The right of self-defense also includes the right to strike targets on the territory of the aggressor. And that is exactly what Ukraine must be able to do.” » said Stoltenberg.

Stoltenberg said it would be very difficult if artillery batteries, missile batteries and airfields on the Russian side continued to be exploited. “safe for Russians” because Ukraine was unable to use weapons provided by NATO allies against it.

“So I welcome the fact that NATO allies have eased restrictions and made it clear that, of course, Ukraine has the right to self-defense,” he added. he said.

The NATO chief said the alliance was ready to give Ukraine the support it needs to assert itself and “Stop the Russian invader.” More and more weapons and ammunition are arriving from NATO allies, “and therefore I am convinced that Ukraine can absolutely win”, » said Stoltenberg.

Increased ambitions

Asked specifically about reports of a lack of air defense on NATO's eastern flank, Stoltenberg said NATO was ready and able to protect all its allies and had agreed new defense plans .

“We have increased our ambitions because we live in a more dangerous world. More investment is needed to meet the requirements of the new defense plans, and this also means investing more in air defense. he said.

He cited a deal to acquire or deploy at least 700 fifth-generation fighter jets, which he said will bolster air defense; that the American defense company Lockheed Martin has agreed to build a new Patriot missile factory in Germany; and Poland and other allies buy “huge quantities of advanced air defense systems.”

He said many other allies were increasing production, “So there will be more, and we are investing more, including in air defense.”

Alliance members have been under pressure for years to increase defense spending after agreeing to raise it to 2% of GDP more than a decade ago.

Stoltenberg reiterated in the interview that only a few years ago, the number of countries meeting this threshold was less than 10. In February, it was 18, and he expects that number to rise even further. .

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