France and Germany’s leaders made a bold statement on Tuesday, declaring that Ukraine should be permitted to target military sites inside Russia that are launching missiles at Ukrainian territory. However, they emphasized that other targets in Russia, especially civilian sites, should not be hit.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded by cautioning NATO members in Europe that allowing Ukraine to use Western-supplied weapons to strike inside Russia could lead to a global conflict. Despite this warning, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stood firm in their support for Ukraine’s right to defend itself.
Macron stated, “We support Ukraine and we don’t want escalation, that hasn’t changed.” Scholz echoed this sentiment, emphasizing that as long as Ukraine adhered to the conditions set by weapon suppliers and international law, it had the right to defend itself.
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, now in its third year, has become the deadliest land war in Europe since World War Two. As Western leaders grapple with how to address Russian military advances in Ukraine, the specter of a global war looms large.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has advocated for allowing Ukraine to strike deep into Russia with Western weapons, a stance supported by some European alliance members. However, there is resistance in Germany, with concerns about escalating the conflict and the potential for wider repercussions.
As tensions continue to rise, the world watches closely to see how the situation will unfold and whether diplomatic efforts can prevent further escalation in the region.