NATO Reiterates Call for Ukraine to Attack Russian Mainland with Western Weapons

"Limiting Russian Attacks Ties One Hand of Ukraine"

Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), reiterated on the 27th (local time) that Ukraine should be able to attack Russian territory with Western-supported weapons.

On the same day, at the NATO Parliamentary Assembly Spring Session held in Sofia, Bulgaria, major foreign media reported that he called for reconsidering the restrictions preventing Ukraine from attacking inside Russian territory with Western weapons.

He stated, "Especially in Kharkiv (Ukraine, near the Russian border), where the front line and the border line are almost the same, it is time to consider lifting some of the restrictions imposed on Ukraine."

He added, "If (Ukraine) cannot attack military targets on Russian territory, it will be very difficult for Ukraine to defend itself effectively with one hand tied behind its back."

Secretary General Stoltenberg also argued in an interview with The Economist on the 24th that the restrictions limiting the use of Western weapons to within Ukrainian territory should be eased.

So far, allied countries including the United States have provided military support on the premise that Ukraine will not attack Russian mainland with Western-supported weapons, due to concerns about the possibility of escalation if Russian territory is struck.

In response, Ukraine, which is being pushed back by Russian forces, has requested to be allowed to attack Russian territory with Western weapons.