International Nato: Ukraine did not agree Kursk offensive in advance
According to Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, NATO was not privy to Ukraine's planned attacks on the Russian region of Kursk. "Ukraine did not coordinate its planning for the Kursk offensive with NATO beforehand, and the Alliance played no role," Stoltenberg told Welt am Sonntag.
31.08.2024, 11:17
SDA
In the defensive campaign against the Russian invasion, Ukraine had recently massively increased its attacks on Russian regions in order to destroy military supplies there. At the beginning of August, 10,000 soldiers marched into the Kursk region, where they have dozens of villages and, according to the military leadership in Kiev, more than 1,000 square kilometers under their control. Moscow accuses the NATO states of supporting Ukraine in its invasion of Russia - not only by supplying weapons and ammunition, but above all by providing data.
Stoltenberg: Attacks on Russian territory legitimate
Stoltenberg considers the attacks on Russian territory themselves to be justified. Ukraine has the right to defend itself. "And according to international law, this right does not end at the border," he said. "Russia has been waging an unprovoked war of aggression against Ukraine for more than 900 days, and has since carried out numerous attacks from the Kursk region across the border against Ukraine. The Russian soldiers, tanks and bases are legitimate targets under international law," Stoltenberg continued. Russia justifies its war against Ukraine, among other things, with the country's aspirations to join NATO. Moscow wants to prevent this.
Furthermore, Kiev had made it clear that the Kursk operation was intended to establish a buffer zone to prevent Russia from launching further attacks across the border, said Stoltenberg. Of course, the Kursk offensive carries risks - like all other military operations. "But it is Ukraine's decision how it defends itself."
