NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has urged Ukraine's allies to lift restrictions on the use of Western weapons, including American ones, to defend its territory against Russian aggression.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has made a bold call for Ukraine's allies to reconsider the restrictions on the use of Western weapons, including those provided by the United States, to defend against Russian aggression.
In an interview with the Economist, Stoltenberg argued that Ukraine should be allowed to use these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory to effectively defend itself.
"To deny Ukraine the possibility of using these weapons against legitimate military targets on Russian territory makes it very hard for them to defend themselves," Stoltenberg said.
The NATO chief's comments come as Ukraine continues to face fierce fighting in eastern Kharkiv, near the Russian border. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly urged the United States to lift the restrictions, a request that has gained traction among some lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Michael Turner, R-Ohio, wrote a letter to the Defense Department requesting the removal of restrictions on the use of U.S. weapons.
According to the Institute for the Study of War, Russia has amassed equipment and troops at the Ukrainian border for its planned Kharkiv offensive. However, most of this equipment is currently out of reach of Ukraine's existing arsenal.
If Ukraine gains access to HIMARS rocket and ATACMS missile weapons systems provided by the U.S., it could potentially target Russian forces within the country and bolster its defense capabilities.
The call for a policy change has garnered support from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers, including House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La.
"I think we need to allow Ukraine to prosecute the war the way they see fit," Johnson said. "They need to be able to fight back."
The White House has not yet responded to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Meanwhile, Ukraine continues to face a dire situation as ammunition supplies dwindle, prompting concerns about a potential "starvation diet" for its military.
The calls to lift restrictions on Western weapons use have gained momentum as Ukraine faces a critical juncture in its defense against Russian aggression. The outcome of this conflict could hinge on the ability of its allies to provide the necessary support for Ukraine's military efforts.
