Nato’s Stoltenberg defends Ukraine’s advance into Russia as legitimate self-defence
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy speaks to the Nato Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg before the first plenary session at the European Political Community meeting at Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Britain, Thursday, July 18, 2024. — Kin Cheung/Pool/AFP pic
Saturday, 31 Aug 2024 4:11 PM MYT
BERLIN, Aug 31 — Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is legitimate and covered by Kyiv’s right to self-defence, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told German weekly Welt am Sonntag in his first reaction to the advance into Russian territory.
“Ukraine has a right to defend itself. And according to international law, this right does not stop at the border,” Stoltenberg told the paper, adding that Nato had not been informed about Ukraine’s plans beforehand and did not play a role in them.
The Nato chief said Ukraine was running a risk with the advance onto Russian territory but that it was up to Kyiv how to conduct its military campaign.
“(Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy has made clear that the operation aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further Russian attacks from across the border,” he said.
“Like all military operations, this comes with risks. But it is Ukraine’s decision how to defend itself.”
Kyiv launched a major cross-border incursion into the Kursk region on August 6, while Moscow’s troops keep pressing towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
The incursion was also discussed at a meeting of the Nato-Ukraine-Council on Wednesday that was requested by Kyiv amid Moscow’s biggest wave of air attacks on its neighbour.
The council, grouping members of the Western military alliance and Ukraine, was established last year to enable closer coordination between the alliance and Kyiv.
Russia has called the Kursk operation a “major provocation” and said it would retaliate. — Reuters
Saturday, 31 Aug 2024 4:11 PM MYT
BERLIN, Aug 31 — Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region is legitimate and covered by Kyiv’s right to self-defence, Nato Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told German weekly Welt am Sonntag in his first reaction to the advance into Russian territory.
“Ukraine has a right to defend itself. And according to international law, this right does not stop at the border,” Stoltenberg told the paper, adding that Nato had not been informed about Ukraine’s plans beforehand and did not play a role in them.
The Nato chief said Ukraine was running a risk with the advance onto Russian territory but that it was up to Kyiv how to conduct its military campaign.
“(Ukrainian) President (Volodymyr) Zelenskiy has made clear that the operation aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further Russian attacks from across the border,” he said.
“Like all military operations, this comes with risks. But it is Ukraine’s decision how to defend itself.”
Kyiv launched a major cross-border incursion into the Kursk region on August 6, while Moscow’s troops keep pressing towards the strategic hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
The incursion was also discussed at a meeting of the Nato-Ukraine-Council on Wednesday that was requested by Kyiv amid Moscow’s biggest wave of air attacks on its neighbour.
The council, grouping members of the Western military alliance and Ukraine, was established last year to enable closer coordination between the alliance and Kyiv.
Russia has called the Kursk operation a “major provocation” and said it would retaliate. — Reuters
OF COURSE it is legitimate self defence.
ReplyDeleteRussia invaded Ukraine since February 24, 2022.
There is no rule of war that says Ukraine must forever accept kena hentam at the receiving end, without Hentam back Russka.
Ukraine would have remained a viable & complete nation by just serving as a buffer zone to NATO & Russia.
ReplyDeleteYet it chooses to be a puppet to stir the backside of the Russko bear, thinking that the NATO would go all-out to help him.
How naive!