NATO chair backs Ukraine striking Russia with long-range missiles
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According to Bauer, there are compelling reasons for Kiev to strike, such as disrupting Russia's logistics, fuel, and ammunition supplies at the front lines, thereby weakening its enemy.
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NATO's Chair of the Military Committee Admiral Rob Bauer attends during the opening ceremony of the Seoul Defense Dialogue 2024 in Seoul, South Korea, Wednesday, Sept. 11, 2024. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)
Following an annual NATO Military Committee Conference in Prague, Military Committee Chair Adm. Rob Bauer stated on Saturday that, from a military perspective, he believes it is "justified" to allow Ukraine to target Russia with long-range missiles provided by the West.
"In accordance with the law of armed conflict, every nation that is attacked has the right to defend itself, and that right does not stop at the border of your own nation," Bauer said.
He further explained that, from a military standpoint, there are compelling reasons for Kiev to strike, such as disrupting Russia's logistics, fuel, and ammunition supplies at the front lines, thereby weakening its enemy.
These remarks come as US President Joe Biden and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer were set to meet in Washington to discuss the possibility of allowing Kiev to use Western-provided long-range missiles to target Russian positions. The move has raised tensions with Moscow, with Russian President Vladimir Putin warning that such action could be seen as NATO entering into direct conflict with Russia.
Both the US and the UK have already supplied Ukraine with ATACMS and Storm Shadow long-range missiles, respectively. However, Germany has remained cautious, repeatedly refusing to send its Taurus missiles over fears of escalating the ongoing war.
Earlier today, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz reiterated that Germany will not change its stance on refusing to send long-range Taurus missiles to Ukraine, despite increasing international pressure and ongoing discussions between Western allies.
Speaking at a press conference, Scholz said, "Germany has made a clear decision about what we will do and what we will not do. This decision will not change."
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