NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has voiced support for Ukraine’s incursion into Russia’s Kursk region, calling it a legitimate form of self-defense that extends beyond borders, as per international law.
The ongoing offensive, launched from Ukraine’s Sumy region on August 6, has surprised the Kremlin and has now entered its fourth week. Ukrainian troops have seized numerous towns and villages across over 1,200 square kilometers of territory, with claims of capturing hundreds of Russian prisoners of war.
Stoltenberg emphasized that Russian military assets in Kursk are considered legitimate targets under international law, and NATO was not pre-informed nor involved in the operation. Despite Germany’s plans to reduce direct aid to Ukraine in the upcoming year, Stoltenberg commended Germany’s commitment to remain Ukraine’s primary military donor in Europe.
With Germany justifying the aid cut through an EU plan to redirect funds from frozen Russian assets to Kyiv, the future of Ukraine’s support remains stable. Stoltenberg’s endorsement of Ukraine’s actions highlights NATO’s solidarity with the country’s defense efforts.