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The head of the NATO Military Committee, Admiral Rob Bauer, says that the law on armed conflict gives Ukraine the right to self-defense, and that, according to him, this right does not stop at the country's border. His comments come as the US administration has refused to allow Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory, using US-made long-range weapons. Moscow has warned that the use of these weapons by Kiev would escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine.
The comments of the Head of the NATO Military Committee, Dutch Bauer, reflect the position of some allies of the United States according to which Ukraine has the right to strike targets deep in Russian territory. But so far, President Joe Biden's administration refuses to allow Kiev to do so using American-made weapons.
"Any country that is attacked has the right to defend itself. And that right doesn't stop at your country's border," said Admiral Rob Bauer, speaking at the close of the committee's annual meeting, which was also attended by US General CQ Brown.
"Militarily there is a reason to do these attacks, to weaken the enemy, to weaken his logistics lines, fuel, ammunition coming to the front. This is the goal of Ukraine, if possible. So there is a good military reason why this should be done. There is a legal basis for doing this. It's also the other side of the discussion, whether the countries that provide weapons systems to Ukraine have restrictions on the use of those weapons because they feel responsible for those weapons, and that's what happens. Some countries have a different opinion. As a military man, I say, yes, Ukraine has the right to carry out these attacks," he further stated.
In the same line of thought was his colleague, the chief of the General Staff of the Czech Armed Forces, Karel Řehka, who made it clear that his country does not impose such restrictions on Kiev.
“I'm repeating what Admiral Bauer said. I completely agree, I think it is completely legitimate and legal for Ukrainians to strike targets on Russian territory provided it is in accordance with international law and the law of armed conflict," he said.
The comments by two senior military officers come as US President Joe Biden weighs whether to allow Ukraine to use long-range weapons sent by the US to strike military targets deep inside Russia.
Mr. Biden met with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Friday, following the visit to Kiev of the US Secretary of State and the British Foreign Secretary. The two top diplomats during their visit to the Ukrainian capital faced demands to allow the use of long-range weapons.
According to the Associated Press news agency, American officials familiar with the discussions of the Biden-Starmer meeting said that the British prime minister has sought the approval of the American president to allow Ukraine to use the British "Storm Shadow" missiles for attacks inside Russia.
Mr. Biden's approval may be necessary because parts of the Storm Shadow missiles are manufactured in the US. Officials said there is still no decision from the US administration.
Many European countries have strongly supported Ukraine, in part because they worry they will be the next victim of an empowered Russia.
Ukraine has stepped up calls for Washington to lift the restrictions, especially as winter approaches and Kiev worries about Russian attacks during the colder months.
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that a weapons system will not determine success in war. He also noted that Ukraine has already been able to strike inside Russia with its domestically produced systems, including drones.
Moscow has warned that the use of these weapons by Kiev would escalate the conflict beyond Ukraine./ VOA
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