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NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, in his first statement regarding the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ operation in Russia’s Kursk region, emphasized that the operation aligns with Ukraine’s right to self-defense.
Stoltenberg made these comments in an interview with Welt am Sonntag.
He reminded that Russia has been waging an unprovoked, aggressive war against Ukraine for over 900 days and has conducted numerous attacks from the Kursk region across the border into Ukraine.
“Russian soldiers, tanks, and bases are legitimate targets under international law… And according to international law, this right does not end at the border (with Russia),” he stated.
Stoltenberg acknowledged that the Ukrainian operation in Kursk carries risks but affirmed that it is up to Ukraine to decide how to defend itself.
The NATO chief also dismissed Kremlin accusations that the West had been informed in advance about the attack on Russian territory.
“Ukraine did not coordinate its planning of the Kursk offensive operation with NATO in advance. In this sense, NATO played no role,” Stoltenberg emphasized.
It is worth noting that Stoltenberg, who will step down as NATO Secretary General at the end of September, has consistently supported Ukraine’s right to strike military targets in Russia.
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