Conflict in Ukraine - Stoltenberg urges review of certain limitations for Ukraine.
NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg urged NATO members to remove certain restrictions on the deployment of weapons supplied to Ukraine. He stressed, "According to international law, the right to self-defense encompasses the ability to strike legally permitted military targets beyond Ukrainian borders. This is an integral part of self-defense."
During the spring meeting of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly (PV) in Sofia, representatives discussed security and defense-related topics among parliamentarians from the 32 NATO member countries. The PV is a platform for discussing such issues, yet it doesn't have the power to make decisions affecting the alliance.
To illustrate a potential use of Western weapons, Stoltenberg pointed to the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv where the front lines and the border with Russia nearly overlap. Michal Szczerba, President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly, hinted that continuing to half-heartedly support Ukraine would leave it in a weaker position.
In a video message, Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov requested NATO allies to secure the skies over western Ukraine by deploying their air defense systems. Umerov reiterated Ukraine's ambition to become a full member of NATO.
Stoltenberg outlined three key themes for the upcoming NATO summit in Washington, D.C. in July: enhancing the defense capabilities of member states, backing Ukraine, and fostering global partnerships with a focus on the Asia-Pacific region.
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Source: www.stern.de
