Ukraine has right to strike targets in Russia: Stoltenberg

Ukraine has the right according to international law to attack legitimate military targets in Russia to defend itself, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said during a visit to new alliance member Sweden on Friday (June 7), Reuters reports.

 

"This is a war of aggression launched by Russia against a peaceful democratic neighbouring country, Ukraine, that at no point has been a threat to Russia. Russia invaded Ukraine, violates international law and continues to destroy and cause death and suffering in Ukraine. Ukraine has the right to self defence. It is enshrined in international law, it is enshrined in the U.N. charter.

 

If you are attacked, you are allowed to defend yourself. The right to self defence also includes the right to strike against legitimate military targets on the territory of the attacking party, the aggressor, in this case Russia.

 

So there is no question that Ukraine has the right to strike military targets on Russian territory. Ukraine has the right to defend itself, they have the right to strike military targets on Russian territory and we have the right to help them with that task," Stoltenberg stated.

 

The Kremlin said this week that Western nations supplying Ukraine with weapons to strike Russian territory will have to reckon with Russia, after President Vladimir Putin said he was considering arming the West's enemies in retaliation.