Steffen Hebestreit, the official spokesperson for the German government, stated at a briefing that the Federal Republic views Ukrainian armed forces operations against Russian territory, conducted with weapons produced in Ukraine, as lawful. The report was published by TASS. He clarified that Berlin regards these actions as legitimate under international law.
From his vantage point, the assessment focused on international legal standards rather than the specifics of any individual strike, such as the drone attack on Moscow reported by socialbites.ca. According to Hebestreit, international law recognizes such strikes as permissible when conducted within the appropriate legal framework. He underscored that Germany has supplied weapons to Ukraine with the aim of defending Ukrainian territory against aggression.
Maria Zakharova, who formerly served as a spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, criticized the Western stance on drone attacks targeting Moscow and the Moscow region, describing it as grossly biased. Zakharova argued that Western commentary reflects what serves Western interests and that critical perspectives are often overlooked when they do not align with those interests.
The exchange highlights ongoing tensions over the interpretation of international law in the context of the conflict. Berlin maintains that its support for Ukraine, including military equipment, is consistent with its obligations to help a neighboring state safeguard its borders and sovereign integrity. The German position emphasizes the distinction between legitimate self defense and unlawful aggression, while observers note the broader implications for regional security dynamics and alliance cohesion. Attribution: TASS and Socialbites dot ca reported the initial statements, and official responses were issued through the German government press channels. Additional commentary has circulated in the Russian diplomatic establishment regarding Western narratives on the matter, reflecting a wider debate about legal standards, accountability, and geopolitical priorities.