30 May, 2024

Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide stated that Ukraine should not face any restrictions on the use of weapons donated by Western countries.

The Minister made the statement in an interview with NRK.

“We also believe that Ukraine has an absolutely clear international right to attack Russia on its territory as part of its defense of its own territory,” Eide said.

According to the Norwegian Minister, the government believes that Ukraine may use weapons received from Western countries against military targets that are important for waging war against Ukraine.

Defense aid from Sweden for Ukraine. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Sweden

He noted that it is up to each individual country to decide on the exact conditions for the use of weapons.

“This is absolutely normal in war, and we cannot force Ukraine to fight with one hand behind its back,” Eide said.

The Minister believes that Ukraine should be able to respond to attacks made by Russian long-range weapons.

Changing the position of Western countries on the use of Western weapons

Militarnyi previously reported that U.S. officials are trying to convince the U.S. President and his entourage to authorize the use of weapons against targets on the territory of the Russian Federation.

Washington is facing pressure from NATO and several key European allies, one official said.

Following the launch of a new Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region, a growing number of European countries have authorized the use of their own weapons to hit targets in Russia.

Ukrainian Su-24 with two Storm Shadow cruise missiles, June 2023. Photo from social media

First of all, major European countries, such as France and the United Kingdom, have officially confirmed that they authorize the use of Storm Shadow/SCALP EG cruise missiles for military purposes in Russian territory.

In addition to France and Canada, Finland, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, the Baltic States, Poland, and Sweden have authorized the use of the transferred weapons for strikes on Russian territory.

Norway Supports Ukraine’s Right to Use Western Weapons Against Russian Targets