Stoltenberg Joins Calls for NATO Weapons To Be Used on Russian Territory

Blinken is reportedly pushing for Biden to lift the restriction

On Friday, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg joined calls for Ukraine to be able to use NATO-provided weapons to strike Russian territory, a step that would mark a major escalation in the proxy war.

“The time has come for allies to consider whether they should lift some of the restrictions they have put on the use of weapons they have donated to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg told The Economist.

“Especially now when a lot of the fighting is going on in Kharkiv, close to the border, to deny Ukraine the possibility of using these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory makes it very hard for them to defend themselves,” he added.

Russia’s offensive in Kharkiv has prompted calls from many members of Congress, including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), for President Biden to allow Ukraine to use US-provided missiles in strikes on Russian territory. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is reportedly leading the charge within the administration to get the restriction lifted.

Russia has made clear that it could have a major response to NATO missiles hitting its territory. After UK Foreign Secretary David Cameron said Ukraine could use British missiles on Russian territory, Russia warned the UK that it could strike British military sites in Ukraine and “beyond” in response.

Ukraine has been using US and other Western-provided missiles to target Crimea, which has been controlled by Russia since 2014. But Russia appears to be drawing a red line when it comes to attacks on territory inside the Russian mainland.

Hawks in the US downplay the risk of escalation, but Russia just launched drills simulating the use of tactical nuclear weapons in response to provocative rhetoric from Western officials, including the talk of potentially sending NATO troops to Ukraine.

Author: Dave DeCamp

Dave DeCamp is the news editor of Antiwar.com, follow him on Twitter @decampdave.