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Sweden would allow Ukraine to use its weapons to attack Russian territories. Scholz reaffirms his red line. But a major partner is shaky.
Stockholm/Kiev – Ukraine and Europe have learned one thing the hard way in recent years: Vladimir Putin does not respect borders. This was the case with the illegal annexation of the Crimean peninsula and was confirmed by the final start of the war in Ukraine. Recently, Moscow has also been mulling over the possibility of moving maritime borders in the Baltic Sea as it sees fit. The only thing louder than such speculation is the warnings when the country’s own borders become an issue for European weapons.
This is no longer acceptable in Sweden: “Ukraine is facing an unprovoked and illegal war of aggression by Russia. Under international law, Ukraine has the right to defend itself through military actions directed at the enemy’s territory, as long as the military actions are consistent with the laws of war.”
Arms deliveries in the Ukraine war: Sweden allows attacks on Russian territory
The Scandinavians are thus giving a clear answer to a European controversial issue: How far can Ukraine go with the arms deliveries from its allies? “Sweden stands behind international law and Ukraine’s right to defend itself,” said the office of Defense Minister Pål Jonson, as reported by the Swedish newspaper Hallandsposten reported on Sunday (June 26).
The newest NATO member is therefore positioning itself on the opposite side of Germany and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. He has repeatedly cited the possibility of Kiev firing the German long-range missile at Russian territory as a reason for not supplying long-range Taurus cruise missiles. He also reiterated this position on Sunday in a citizens’ dialogue in Berlin. According to daily News he sees “no reason at present for expanding the area of deployment of Western weapons in the war in Ukraine.” The Chancellor has recently also received opposition from his own government.
Russia attacks and controversial issue of Taurus: Chancellor Olaf Scholz so far in line with the USA
So far, SPD leader Scholz has safely positioned himself before the red line of his biggest ally: US President Joe Biden has also always stressed that weapons from the United States may only be used for defensive purposes and not on Russian soil. This is to prevent a third world war. This caution now seems to be crumbling after Foreign Minister Antony Blinken’s visit to Kyiv.
According to a report by New York Times The foreign minister is trying to suggest to the president that he should change course. The reason for this are reports about the offensive and new front in Kharkiv, which Ukrainian President Selenskyj shared with the US Secretary of State. Specifically: Russia is said to have stationed weapons and missile systems directly across the border on Russian soil – knowing full well that the Ukrainians can only reach them with their own weapons and drones.
This is consistent with an assessment by the American think tank Institute for the Study of War (ISW) As early as mid-May, he said: “US policy has effectively created a huge safe space” in which Russia could deploy its ground invasion forces and from there deploy glide bombs and other long-range attack systems to support its renewed invasion
Putin and the “Russian madness”: Selenskyj pushes for air defense systems after Kharkiv attack
For Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, the defense of his country begins on Russian soil, “so that Russian terrorists cannot even approach our borders.” The reason for the – renewed – emotional appeal to the international community to send Ukraine air defense systems such as Patriot was the bloody attack on a hardware store in Kharkiv. The attack with glide bombs has so far killed 16 civilians, including a child. The non-military target of the Russian bombing was visited by around 200 people at the time of the attack.
The discussion about the Ukrainian use of Western weapons had already heated up within NATO member states. A few weeks ago, British Foreign Minister David Cameron said during a visit to Kiev that it was up to Ukraine whether it would direct its weapons against positions in Russia. “That is a decision for Ukraine and Ukraine has that right.” Latvia’s Foreign Minister also said in an interview with European Pravda stressed that Ukraine was allowed to attack positions on Russian territory with Western weapons.
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