NATO wants Ukraine to attack targets on Russian territory?

In an interview with The Economist, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called on member states supporting Ukraine to be allowed to attack military targets on Russian territory.

Failure on the front line has forced NATO to consider Ukraine escalating the conflict by attacking Russian territory. Photo: getty

“It is time for the allies to consider whether they should lift some of the restrictions they have placed on the use of weapons delivered to Ukraine,” Mr. Jens Stoltenberg said.

NATO Secretary General stressed that the strategy needs to change now, as military operations are taking place in the Kharkiv region, not far from the Russian border. According to NATO Secretary General, since Kiev cannot attack “legitimate military targets” on Russian territory, it is difficult for the country to defend itself. At the same time, he expressed doubts that Russia’s offensive in the region will lead to a strategic breakthrough on the front.

Meanwhile, assessing the possibility of NATO sending troops to Ukraine, Mr. Jens Stoltenberg stated: "We have no intention of sending NATO ground forces to Ukraine . "

At the same time, he noted that the alliance will continue to provide Ukraine with weapons, ammunition and help train soldiers. The NATO Secretary General acknowledged the risk of escalation. He said the task is to prevent the conflict from turning into a full-scale war between Russia and NATO in Europe.

The exact date for Ukraine's accession to NATO has not yet been set, but Jen Stoltenberg said the alliance is helping Ukraine meet the conditions for admission.

According to NATO Secretary General, Kiev must meet the alliance’s technical standards and enhance “operational compatibility” with the alliance. He also added that to admit a country to the alliance, there must be political will from the leaders of the alliance member states.

Jen Stoltenberg stressed that even if the situation on the front becomes favorable for Kiev, the country will not be able to become a member of the alliance for many years to come. He also urged not to expect serious decisions on Ukraine at the summit in Washington next summer to mark NATO's 75th anniversary.

The conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of ending anytime soon. Photo: AP

In response to the NATO Secretary General’s somewhat escalating statement, Chairman of the Nationalities Affairs Committee in Crimea Zaur Smirnov stated: “Stoltenberg’s appeal is nothing more than a collective attempt by the West to intimidate Russia and put pressure on us. This is happening against the backdrop of successful Russian military offensives and strengthening Russia’s position in the event of negotiations.”

Ukraine has launched attacks on Russian territory, Zaur Smirnov said, adding that in case of strategic danger, Moscow will take appropriate measures in accordance with its military doctrine.

Meanwhile, diplomatic sources in the West assess that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to negotiate peace terms in Ukraine.

The sources said that the Russian president was disappointed by Western efforts that caused the collapse of negotiations on Ukraine that were supposed to take place in 2022. As well as the issue of Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelensky declaring no negotiations with Russia, when Vladimir Putin was still president in an official decree that same year.

“Putin can fight as long as necessary, but he is also ready for a ceasefire to freeze the conflict,” said a European diplomatic source. The Russian leader considers the successes of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine to be enough to be considered a victory.

According to the British news agency Reuters, Western politicians believe that there will be no peace agreement in Ukraine as long as President Volodymir Zelensky remains in power in Kiev. Thus, the issue of peace in Ukraine can only take place between Russia and the United States.

However, the US does not believe in Russia's motivation to resolve the conflict. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken assessed that Moscow is considered "not ready for this".

“If Russian President Vladimir Putin shows serious interest in holding peace talks, I am sure Ukraine will respond positively to this initiative,” the US Secretary of State said during a recent visit to Kiev.

Source: https://congthuong.vn/chien-su-nga-ukraine-hom-nay-ngay-2552024-nato-muon-ukraine-tan-cong-cac-muc-tieu-tren-lanh-tho-nga-322266.html