Stoltenberg: “Ukraine’s right to self-defense also includes the right to strike legitimate military targets outside of Ukraine”

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg, while requesting no restrictions on not hitting targets in Russian territories when supplying weapons to Ukraine, stated, ‘Ukraine’s right to self-defense includes hitting legitimate military targets outside Ukraine. For example, military targets attacking Ukrainian forces from within Russian territories near the border.’
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg delivered the opening speech of the conference titled ‘NATO’s 75 Years: How to Keep the Work on Track?’ held within the framework of the NATO Informal Foreign Ministers Meeting in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, on 30-31 May.
Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky, Finnish Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen, and Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski participated as speakers at the conference, where Stoltenberg emphasized that Ukraine’s right to self-defense within the framework of international law includes hitting military targets in Russian territories.

‘Serious delays in providing ammunition and military support in recent months’
Highlighting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s accession to NATO and symbolizes the beginning of a major transformation in Europe, Stoltenberg said, ‘This was the start of a new era where the Cold War ended, NATO and the European Union expanded, and many countries from the former Warsaw Pact and the Soviet Union, such as the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary, joined NATO. 25 years ago, I was a very young politician, but I remember the debates very well. Many across the alliance feared the enlargement, and they feared that countries like the Czech Republic, Poland, and Hungary joining NATO would provoke Russia and the Soviet Union.’
Stressing that the Czech Republic is leading an initiative this year to support Ukraine with ammunition and that this proud mission will make a significant difference on the battlefield in Ukraine, Stoltenberg pointed out, ‘But the reality is that what we have done is not enough. There have been serious delays in providing ammunition and military support in recent months. For example, we have seen serious shortcomings in air defense and ammunition.’

‘It is time to review some of the restrictions to enable Ukrainians to truly defend themselves’
Pointing out the discussions on the type and use of weapons sent to Ukraine, Stoltenberg said, ‘Some allies have imposed restrictions on the use of these weapons. Some have not imposed any restrictions on the weapons sent to Ukraine. These are allies’ national decisions. But in my opinion, considering the evolving nature of this war, most of the conflicts took place almost entirely on Ukrainian territory at the beginning of the war. But now, in the past weeks or months, the intense fighting is mostly taking place on the border between Russia and Ukraine, in the Kharkiv region.’ Stoltenberg emphasized that Russian forces are now often on the front line on the Russian side of the border, stating, ‘They can be on the Russian side of the border with artillery, missile launchers, aircraft, ammunition, and fuel depots, and at least they will be safer as long as they are not attacked with the most advanced weapons Ukraine has received. Therefore, I believe it is time to review some of these restrictions to enable Ukrainians to truly defend themselves.’

‘The right to self-defense includes hitting legitimate military targets outside Ukraine’
Emphasizing that it should not be forgotten that this war is an aggressive war launched by Russia against Ukraine, NATO Secretary General stated, ‘Russia invaded another country, Ukraine, and Ukraine has the right to self-defense according to international law. This right is enshrined in the UN Charter. The right to self-defense includes hitting legitimate military targets outside Ukraine. For example, military targets attacking Ukrainian forces from within Russian territories near the border.’

‘We need to strengthen our relations with our partners from the Asia-Pacific region’
Stating that the need to strengthen relations with NATO’s global partners and especially partners from the Asia-Pacific region will be addressed at tomorrow’s meeting and summit, Stoltenberg emphasized, ‘The war in Ukraine clearly highlights this. If we look at who Russia’s best friends are in this war, we see that Iran has provided unmanned aerial vehicles to Russia and helped Russia establish a factory to produce more Iranian drones, North Korea has provided Russia with over a million pieces of ammunition, and China has supported the Russian economy by providing a large number of advanced electronic devices and microprocessors.’

‘Russia could not wage war without China’s support’
Highlighting that 90% of the microelectronic materials delivered or imported to Russia last year came from China, Stoltenberg stated, ‘Without China’s economic support, Russia could not wage the war it is conducting against Ukraine. In return, Russia is mortgaging its future to China and is going down the path of technology sharing to support missile and nuclear programs with North Korea and Iran.’ Stoltenberg expressed that NATO will remain as the North American and European alliance, but working with global partners, especially partners from the Indo-Pacific region, is essential.

‘Stoltenberg was awarded a medal’
After the conference, Stoltenberg met with Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala and described the Czech Republic as a reliable and valuable ally of NATO. Following this, at a ceremony held at Prague Castle, Czech President Petr Pavel presented Stoltenberg with the Tomas Garrigue Masaryk Order.
Stoltenberg was honored with the high order named after Masaryk, the first President of Czechoslovakia, for his contributions to the development of democracy and human rights.
Later, the foreign ministers took a family photo at Prague Castle.