Ukraine has the right to defend itself both on and off its territory, Sweden's Defense Minister Paul Jonsson said today, quoted by Reuters.
He said this in a comment on the Ukrainian military operation in Russia's Kursk region. Sweden, which is a member of NATO, was not informed in advance about Ukraine's plans, Jönsson clarified.
A similar position was expressed by two other NATO members. Finland and the Czech Republic said yesterday that Ukraine has the right to take offensive actions on Russian territory. Kiev is within its right to defend itself and, accordingly, carry out a military operation in Russia's Kursk region, said the Prime Minister of Finland, Petteri Orpo, whose country is a member of NATO, Reuters reported.
"Ukraine has the right to self-defense and it is clear that it can carry out its operation in (the region of) Kursk," Orpo said at a joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart Kristen Michal in the Finnish capital Helsinki.
Meanwhile, the Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, Jan Lipavsky, expressed the opinion that under international law, Ukraine can defend itself on the territory of the aggressor state, Ukrinform informed, referring to a publication of the minister on the social platform "X".
"International law allows Ukraine self-defense, even on the territory of the aggressor. The Russian aggression against Ukraine since 2014 has destroyed the lives of millions of people. If we are looking for a just peace, the solution... is a return to the internationally recognized borders", declared Lipavski. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said yesterday that Ukraine controls 74 settlements on Russian territory.