The German defense minister, Boris Pistorius, indicated that military actions inside Russia could be considered legitimate in the context of a conflict, provided civilian harm is avoided. He explained this stance during an interview on the ZDF channel, revisiting his earlier position which cautioned against hostilities on Russian soil.
He stressed that in armed confrontations, it is common for the attacked side to strike into enemy territory to disrupt supply lines and create strategic pressure. However, he underscored a critical condition: such operations should not target cities, civilians, or civilian infrastructure. The minister emphasized that there are clear red lines in arms procurement, urging partners to weigh how military aid is deployed and what kinds of weapons are being requested for Ukraine. If Kyiv asks for munitions that are widely banned, those requests should be refused.
Previously, Kyiv asked Washington to supply MK-20 cluster munitions. These weapons are prohibited under the Convention on Cluster Munitions in more than 120 countries, though they are not universally banned, with backing still present in the United States, Russia, China, Ukraine, and several other nations.
Pistorius also commented on Ukraine’s potential membership in NATO. He called for a decision to be made with a clear, level-headed approach that weighs both the strategic and humanitarian implications. He added that joining the alliance should not occur simply as a gesture of solidarity during the fighting; it would require careful consideration and consensus.
The minister suggested that the question of Ukraine joining the European Union or NATO should await the end of the conflict with Russia. He argued that such decisions cannot be made solely as acts of solidarity, but should follow a stable and pragmatic assessment of security and political interests.
Position of other allies of Kiev
Earlier, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki discussed the possibility of attacks on Russian territory. He argued that Ukraine has the right to take such actions and that these moves would not violate existing understandings with its supporters. Morawiecki also voiced doubts that these attacks could trigger a direct clash between NATO and Moscow, suggesting that Russia would likely suffer a swift defeat in such a scenario. He warned that the conflict could extend for several more years and urged readiness for a prolonged engagement, given the strength of the Russian forces despite ongoing fierce fighting.
There was a period when Western partners tended to avoid encouraging Ukrainian strikes on Russian soil. In late 2022, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Washington did not push Kyiv to attack Russian territory. However, reports from The Times indicated a shift in attitude, with Washington no longer insisting that Ukraine refrain from strikes on Russian soil. In early April, White House strategic communications coordinator John Kirby said the United States allowed Kyiv to target the DPR and LPR regions as well as Zaporozhye and Kherson, while not enabling operations beyond Ukraine’s borders. He emphasized that the United States does not provide conditions or encouragement for attacks outside Ukraine.
At the Pentagon, officials in April expressed concern about the possible use of American weapons to strike targets inside Russia. France reportedly shared a similar stance. In January, President Emmanuel Macron stated that Ukraine should refrain from striking Russian territory with Western weapons supplied to it. Despite these positions, Russia’s border areas—Belgorod and Bryansk, Kursk and Voronezh—have repeatedly reported shelling from Ukrainian positions. On April 20, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov noted more than 2,000 incidents of shelling since the start of the operation, with 30 people reported killed and over 120 injured since February 2022 in the region.