NATO chief says Kyiv has ‘right to self-defense to attack legitimate military targets’ outside Ukraine

GENEVA

The head of NATO said Wednesday that Ukraine has the right to determine and attack “legitimate” targets in defending itself against Russia.

Jens Stoltenberg’s remarks came during a news conference alongside Finnish President Alexander Stubb when he was asked about Ukrainian attacks on Russian warships in the Baltic Sea.

“I will not give specific advice on what kind of targets Ukraine should or should not attack,” said Stoltenberg.

This is also part of the “right to self-defense to attack legitimate military targets” outside one’s own country, he said.

“Because Russia is using many different types of capabilities to attack Ukraine and Ukraine has the right to self-defense and this also includes military targets legitimate outside of Ukraine,” he added.