Before the NATO summit: Biden and Scholz face pressure over weapons issues
Stoltenberg stated in Prague, "The right to self-defense involves attacking military targets, legitimate military targets beyond Ukraine's borders." Earlier, he stated that Ukrainian troops would be "hand-bound" without the ability to assault positions on Russian land. He mentioned the conflict in the Kharkiv region, situated near the Russian border.
Regarding the US, Chief Diplomat Blinken was questioned by a journalist in Moldova regarding the possibility of waiving existing constraints on utilizing US weapons on Russian soil. Blinken replied, "We have consistently adapted and changed as needed, and we will continue to do so in the future." According to media accounts, Blinken is attempting to persuade Biden to yield.
In addition to France, Norway, and the Czech Republic, both nations have voiced their support for Stoltenberg's request. In Oslo, Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said that Ukraine cannot "fight with one hand tied behind its back." Concurrently, the Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky echoed this sentiment. However, he also shared concerns about Berlin and Washington. "There are weapons systems with significant range," he emphasized.
Germany's Bundestag members from the Union and SPD have also endorsed Stoltenberg's demand. In contrast, Chancellor Scholz remains cautious and emphasizes stopping "a war between Russia and NATO."
In response, Russia accused NATO countries of deliberately instigating "escalation of tensions." Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov said, "They are pushing Ukraine to continue this senseless conflict." Peskov predicted that nations pushing for escalation would suffer the consequences themselves.
From Thursday evening, NATO foreign ministers will convene in Prague to deliberate additional support for Ukraine. The summit will commence with an informal dinner at Prague Castle, followed by further deliberations on Friday.
NATO members aim to assemble a new Ukraine aid package prior to the July Washington summit. Kiev requests seven Patriot air defense systems, with Germany guaranteeing one. The number of additional allies remains uncertain.
"Ukraine can still prevail, but only with robust assistance from its NATO allies," asserted Stoltenberg.
Under consideration is a more significant role for NATO in coordinating aid. Currently, the United States directs the military aid of NATO allies through the Ramstein Group. By transferring this role to NATO, it will become autonomous from political developments in the United States. This could prove vital in the event of a possible victory by former President Donald Trump in the November elections.
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- At a press conference in Prague, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the right of self-defense for Ukraine, allowing attacks on military targets beyond its borders.
- Stoltenberg earlier expressed concerns that Ukrainian troops would be "hand-bound," unable to assault positions on Russian land, highlighting the conflict in the Kharkiv region.
- In response to this, Chief Diplomat Tony Blinken was questioned in Moldova about waiving constraints on using US weapons on Russian soil.
- Blinken responded by stating that the US has adapted and changed as needed, and would continue to do so in the future, hinting at flexibility on the weapons issue.
- France, Norway, and the Czech Republic have voiced support for Stolzenberg's demand, with Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stating that Ukraine cannot "fight with one hand tied behind its back."
- Czech Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky echoed this sentiment, but also raised concerns about the potential consequences of deploying weapons systems with significant range.
- German Bundestag members from both the Union and SPD have endorsed Stolzenberg's request, but Chancellor Olaf Scholz remains cautious, focusing on avoiding a war between Russia and NATO.
- Russia accused NATO countries of deliberately instigating "escalation of tensions," with Kremlin spokesperson Dmitri Peskov warning of consequences for nations pushing for escalation.
- At the upcoming NATO foreign ministers meeting in Prague, members aim to discuss additional support for Ukraine, including a possible new aid package prior to the July Washington summit.
- Germany has pledged one Patriot air defense system to Ukraine, with the number of additional allies still uncertain.
- In a potential shift, Stoltenberg has suggested a more significant role for NATO in coordinating aid, aiming to reduce reliance on US-led initiatives as a safeguard in case of a Trump victory.
- The NATO meeting will take place in Prague, commencing with an informal dinner at Prague Castle and continuing discussions on Friday, all while Germany and the US face continued pressure over weapons issues and the future of NATO support for Ukraine.
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