Support within NATO is increasing for the use of Western weapons to strike targets inside Russia, while NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has downplayed the Kremlin's threats should these weapons target its deeper territories, as well as the repeated warnings of a potential full-scale war resulting from this escalation. Berlin announced that it has authorized Ukraine to use weapons supplied by Germany, following revelations from American officials that Washington has partially lifted similar restrictions, allowing Ukraine to defend the Kharkiv region.
Steffen Hebestreit, a spokesperson for Chancellor Olaf Scholz, stated that Kyiv has “the right to defend itself under international law” against attacks from areas within Russia near the Ukrainian border. He added, "To this end, it can also use the weapons that have been supplied for this purpose, including the weapons we provided."
The United States has long opposed allowing Ukraine to use American long-range weapons to attack Russian territory for fear that it could drag NATO into a direct confrontation with Moscow. On Thursday, the Kremlin stated that “NATO member countries have been engaging in a new round of escalating tensions in recent days and weeks.”
However, Stoltenberg responded in remarks to reporters during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Prague that “this is part of President (Russian Vladimir) Putin and Moscow's efforts to prevent NATO members from supporting Ukraine in defending itself.” He emphasized that “Ukraine has the right to defend itself, and we have the right to assist Ukraine,” although some NATO countries oppose this decision.
Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani stated that “for Italy, it is impossible to use our weapons outside Ukraine,” adding, “We are not fighting against Russia; we are defending Ukraine; the situation is different.”
On Thursday, an American official stated that President Joe Biden “tasked his team to ensure that Ukraine can use American weapons to launch a counter-attack in the Kharkiv area, to respond when it is attacked by Russian forces, or is preparing to be attacked.” The official added that ATACMS missiles, which can strike targets deep in Russia, are still prohibited.
Another American official confirmed this shift in policy, which came after weeks of undisclosed talks between the White House, senior military officials, and the U.S. State Department. However, the Kremlin confirmed on Friday that Ukrainian forces have previously targeted Russia using American weapons. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters, "We know that, overall, American-made weapons are used in attempts to carry out attacks on Russian territory, which is clear evidence of the extent of U.S. involvement in this conflict."
Regarding a full-scale war, Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council and former Russian president, warned on Friday that Russia was not making empty threats when it spoke about the potential use of tactical nuclear weapons against Ukraine, and cautioned that the conflict between Russia and the West could escalate into a comprehensive war. He added that Moscow’s conflict with the West is worsening according to the worst anticipated scenarios, and “no one can currently exclude the possibility of the conflict reaching its final stages.”
He continued, “Russia considers that all long-range weapons used by Ukraine are already under direct control by NATO member states.” He also noted that “all of these actions could serve as a pretext for war.”
The U.S. President held a meeting with his Secretary of State, who visited Kyiv earlier in May, before confirming in recent days his decision that was kept secret until it came into effect on Thursday. American officials attributed the shift in U.S. position to the daily Russian bombardment of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city.
In the latest strikes on the city, five people were killed, and 23 others were injured, including two children, according to officials who also warned that more residents might be trapped under the rubble. Regional governor Igor Sinihobov stated, “Search and rescue operations are ongoing; all services are active in the area.”
Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov confirmed that there are “no military personnel or any military targets at all.” Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intensified his efforts with Western allies to send more air defense systems. He stated on social media during a visit to Sweden on Friday, “Our priorities are to ensure more air defense systems for Ukraine, joint defense industry projects, and weapons for our fighters, in addition to global efforts to force Russia to peace.”
He also accused Russia of preparing for “provocations” at the borders of Baltic countries, saying, “Only by working together can we stop the madness from Moscow.”
