Stoltenberg Says NATO Will Decide on Striking Russia with Western Weapons

NATO member countries should make decisions independently, rather than collectively, regarding the use of their weapons to strike Russia on Ukrainian territory. This statement was made by Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance, as reported by TASS.

The organization's leader arrived in Brussels on May 28 for a meeting of defense ministers from EU member states. Before the event began, he spoke with reporters, including addressing questions about strikes on Russia using Western ammunition to aid Ukraine.

“These are national decisions, rather than decisions at the NATO level,” Stoltenberg emphasized while discussing the lifting of restrictions on using Western weapons for attacks on targets within Russia. He mentioned that the relevant decisions of NATO member countries should not lead to their involvement in a conflict with Russia.

At the same time, the Secretary General noted that NATO does not plan to send its troops to the battlefield and become directly involved in combat actions.

Previously, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, stated that one of the main topics of discussion at the meeting of defense ministers from regional cooperation participating countries would be the lifting of the ban on the use of their weapons to strike Russia in support of Ukraine. Participants of the meeting will also raise concerns over the risk of escalation of the conflict.