NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has declared that Ukraine’s recent military operation in Russia’s Kursk region is a legitimate act of self-defense under international law. In an interview with the German weekly Welt am Sonntag, Stoltenberg emphasized that Ukraine has the right to defend itself, even if that defense extends beyond its borders.”Ukraine has a right to defend itself. And according to international law, this right does not stop at the border,” Stoltenberg stated. He clarified that NATO was not informed about Ukraine’s plans in advance and did not play any role in the operation.
Stoltenberg noted that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has made it clear that the incursion aims to create a buffer zone to prevent further Russian attacks from across the border. “Like all military operations, this comes with risks. But it is Ukraine’s decision how to defend itself,” he explained.
While acknowledging the risks involved in Ukraine’s decision to extend its military operations into Russian territory, Stoltenberg affirmed that the strategy was within Kyiv’s prerogative. The incursion, launched on August 6, has intensified the conflict, with Russian forces continuing their offensive toward the strategic hub of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
The situation was discussed during a recent meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was convened at Kyiv’s request in response to Moscow’s latest wave of air attacks on Ukraine. The council, established last year, aims to facilitate closer coordination between NATO and Ukraine.
In response to the incursion, Russia has denounced the operation as a “major provocation” and has vowed to retaliate. The situation remains tense, with the potential for further escalation as both sides continue their military campaigns.Stoltenberg’s statements underscore NATO’s support for Ukraine’s right to defend its territory, even if that defense extends beyond its borders.
