Attacks on Russia

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Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin speaks of a "constant escalation" by the West. He forgets who attacked Ukraine.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Sergei BOBYLYOV)

The pressure from Kiev and now also from NATO on allied countries to use Western weapons against targets in Russia is increasing. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg cited the Ukrainian region of Kharkiv, where the front line and the border with Russia more or less coincided, as an example of the possible use of Western weapons. These considerations set alarm bells ringing in the Kremlin.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has already threatened serious consequences. "This constant escalation can lead to serious consequences," Putin said on Tuesday during a visit to Uzbekistan. "In Europe, especially in the small states, they should realize what they are playing with." 

What international law says
According to experts, attacks on military targets in Russia by Ukraine are covered by international law as part of the defense against aggressive war. Politically, however, some Western countries that support Ukraine are reluctant to allow Kiev to use weapons supplied by them to attack Russian territory. This is usually justified by the fear of being seen as a party to the war by Moscow. This has so far included Germany. 

Stoltenberg: "Weapons handed over are Ukrainian"
Stoltenberg and the defense ministers of eastern NATO states emphasized on Tuesday in Brussels that they do not see a major risk of escalation. The NATO chief pointed out, for example, that weapons donated to Ukraine after the handover were Ukrainian weapons and that some NATO countries have always supplied Ukraine with weapons without conditions. He also emphasized that the use of weapons against military targets was covered by Ukraine's right of self-defense. 

(Bild: AP)

EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell also spoke out in favor of the use of Western weapons against targets in Russia on the sidelines of the EU defense ministers' meeting. This was "perfectly possible under the laws of war and not a contradiction in terms". Lifting national restrictions is becoming increasingly important.

Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin speaks of a "constant escalation" by the West. He forgets who attacked Ukraine.

(Bild: APA/AFP/POOL/Sergei BOBYLYOV)

EU states disagree on the deployment of military trainers
There is also no consensus in the EU on the issue of sending military trainers to Ukraine. So far, the Europeans have been training Ukrainian soldiers on EU territory. Borrell said that the ministers had discussed demands to "complete part of the training in Ukraine." However, there is "no common European position" on this for the time being. However, things could still change. French President Emmanuel Macron did not rule out sending Western troops to Ukraine in February, sparking a broad discussion.