The Russian leadership is furious that Ukraine is now capturing territory within Russia. Important allies such as the UK and the US have claimed to be unaware of Ukraine's plans. But Mychajlo Podoljak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelensky, now claims that the country's Western allies were indeed informed.
Some things have to be done with surprise, he says to the British The Independent.
But there were discussions with our partners, even if not publicly.
"All right"
Several countries are now also stating that they do not see any problems with their weapons being used offensively on Russian territory.
The starting point for all this is that Ukraine is allowed to defend itself in accordance with international law, says Finnish President Alexander Stubb at a press conference in Mariehamn on Åland.
Especially since Russia, in its war of aggression, is attacking all of Ukraine, including the capital, and occupying nearly a fifth of Ukraine, the Kiev government has a lot of room to maneuver to strike back.
That Ukraine then defends itself in Kursk (in Russia), by going 30-40 kilometers into the country, they have every right to do so, says Stubb according to Finnish media.
The right to defend itself on Russian territory also includes the weapons Ukraine has received from Finland.
We see no reason to restrict the Ukrainians' activities.
Sweden has not expressed any restrictions or reservations about how Ukraine may use Swedish-donated military equipment. Defense Minister Pål Jonson states that Ukraine, according to international law, is allowed to defend itself within and outside its territory.
We have provided extensive military support to Ukraine, we have said it is important to use it in line with international law, that is, to have both proportionality and discrimination, that is, not to attack civilian targets but military targets, said Jonson at a press conference on Thursday.
Exceptions exist
The UK is reasoning in the same way.
We were clear during the donation process that the equipment can be used in accordance with international law, says a spokesperson for the Ministry of Defense according to The Guardian.
Self-defense does not exclude operations within Russia.
However, there are exceptions. For example, the advanced "Storm Shadow" missiles that the UK has donated, with a unit price of around 27 million kronor, have the reservation that they may not be used outside Ukraine's borders.
