In an interview with Ukrainian journalist Serhiy Sidorenko published by the web publication “European Pravda” on Tuesday, Braze said that Ukraine needs not only anti-aircraft artillery and ammunition, but also long-range weapons.
To the journalist’s clarifying question, whether they are also necessary for strikes on Russian territory, she answered in the affirmative: “Even on Russian territory, from which Russia attacks Ukraine, because it is determined by international law. You are allowed to strike [mērķiem] not only in the sovereign territory of Ukraine, but also in those places from which Russia is attacking.”
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has previously expressed a similar opinion, stating that Russia is waging a war of conquest against Ukraine and Kyiv has the right to self-defense, including strikes against legitimate Russian military targets outside the country.
The minister reiterated that the Ukrainians have the right to use all the weapons supplied to them, including F-16 fighters, long-range flying robots and ATACMS missiles, for counterstrikes against Russia.
“If Russia attacks Ukraine, Ukraine has the right to strike back,” Braze said.
When asked whether the current conditions of Western countries, which prohibit the use of Western weapons outside the territory of Ukraine, could change, the minister answered that they could.
She added that there are already countries that supply weapons without such conditions.
“Not everything is said out loud, and in certain moments it is better not to say it out loud, but there is an effect on the battlefield,” admitted Braze.
When asked by a journalist whether Russia will stop in Ukraine, she replied that “Russia must stop in Russia”.
“It’s not about [Krievijas] suspension in Ukraine. Russia must be kicked out of Ukraine,” the minister emphasized.
On the other hand, in the “Today’s Question” program of Latvian Television, Braže reminded that the European Union is preparing another package of sanctions against Russia.
Today’s question: How to prevent the renewal of Russia’s military capabilities?22 min
“The next package of sanctions that is being prepared and the revival of existing sanctions is very clear. One is individual sanctions on people, then there are so-called sectoral sanctions, there will also be manganese ore, alumina and other things. And the next, which is our big priority is balancing the sanctions between Belarus and Russia,” said Braže.
CONTEXT:
Russia’s unjustified and unprovoked large-scale invasion of Ukraine began on February 24, 2022, the Kremlin’s propaganda brazenly promised to capture Kyiv in three days, but the selfless and strong resistance of the Ukrainians prevented the Kremlin from realizing its plans.
After the setbacks, the Kremlin withdrew the army from the Kyiv region, but continued the offensive in other regions. In the fall of 2022, the Ukrainian army managed to liberate Kharkiv region and part of Kherson region in successful operations, raising hopes for the possibility of defeating the enemy.
However, the Ukrainian counteroffensive launched in the summer of 2023 was not so successful, which the Ukrainian army explains both by the insufficient supply of weapons from the Western allies and by the deep defense line and extensive minefields created by the Russian army. Now the war of positions has started at the front with exhausting battles and we must prepare for long-term support for Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia regularly attacks civilian targets and is expected to target energy infrastructure like last year.
