NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is pushing for the alliance to let Ukraine use Western weapons to strike inside Russia, a move that Ukraine has been seeking but is currently opposed by the United States. The two-day meeting of NATO’s foreign ministers in Prague is focused on preparing an aid package for Ukraine ahead of the NATO summit in July. The debate on whether Ukraine should be allowed to use arms sent by Western backers to target Russia is at the center of discussions. Ukraine has been pushing its allies, especially the US, to permit the use of longer-range weaponry to strike inside Russia, but some countries, like Germany, have reservations.
Despite the growing calls in favor of allowing Ukraine to strike targets inside Russia, the US, Germany, and some other allies have so far refused to lift restrictions for fear of escalating the conflict with Moscow. Prior to the meeting in Prague, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg stated that the time had come for alliance members to reconsider these restrictions and enable Ukraine to better defend itself. French President Emmanuel Macron has expressed support for Ukraine to ‘neutralize’ bases in Russia, while Germany remains cautious.
The debate around this issue has intensified as the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continues to escalate. NATO allies are also exploring the possibility of providing a substantial aid package to Ukraine over the next few years. While the discussions are ongoing, NATO is considering taking over the coordination of weapon supplies to Ukraine from the US to ensure a more structured approach to support. The outcome of these discussions will have significant implications for the conflict in the region and the future of NATO’s involvement in the crisis.
