Ukraine free to attack Russian territory – newest NATO member — RT World News
Helsinki said Kiev has the right to use Finland-supplied weapons as it sees fit
Senior officials in the NATO member state said Thursday that Ukraine is free to use weapons it received from Finland as it sees fit, including attacks on Russian territory.
Unlike “Larger countries” Finland, which has placed restrictions on the use of long-range weapons supplied to Kiev, does not envisage any restrictions, Defense Minister Antti Hakkanen said.
He added: “These major countries, which provided, among other things, long-range missile systems, of course also have a say in how they are used.” Hakkanen told public radio Yle.
The Chairman of the Finnish Parliament's Defense Committee, Jukka Kopra, confirmed to Yle that Helsinki “It has not placed such restrictions, and Ukraine has the right to use these weapons against military targets on Russian territory as well.”
These statements reflect those of Estonia, a member of NATO. Speaking to Yle on Wednesday, the future commander of the Estonian Defense Forces, Andrus Merilo, indicated that it was “mistake” To limit Kiev's use of weapons supplied by the West in the territories that Ukraine claims as its own.
Deputy Chairman of the Russian Duma's Foreign Affairs Committee, Alexei Chiba, warned that Finnish hostilities could eventually lead to retaliation.
“Finland is a new member of NATO. Today, many leaders are trying to gain support as prominently as possible by declaring such positions. Chiba said.
Senior Finnish officials must be accepted 'Great worsening' Deputy Chairman of the Russian Federation Council, Konstantin Kosachev, said that relations with Moscow. The damage will be done even if Helsinki backs down and tries “Repair” The senior senator added that the situation.
Finland allocated a total of 1.8 billion euros ($1.95 billion) in military aid to Ukraine during the conflict with Russia. However, Helsinki rarely revealed the actual contents of its packages, only announcing the delivery of several Leopard 2R heavy mine-busting vehicles, anti-aircraft weapons, and other equipment.
Finnish weapons have been repeatedly spotted in the stock of Ukrainian forces, unverified footage appears circulating online. Kiev forces use modern Bassi armored personnel carriers, several of which were destroyed by Russian forces. Other devices of clear Finnish origin include 23 Itk 61 anti-aircraft guns, as well as 120 Krh 85 92 mortars that were gradually withdrawn from the active inventory of the Finnish Army in the early 2000s.
Finland officially joined NATO last year, ending its long-standing policy of neutrality and becoming the 31st member of the US-led military bloc. Sweden is set to join it after Hungary became the latest NATO member to accept Stockholm's offer earlier this week.
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