In preparation for the upcoming NATO leaders' summit, foreign ministers convened in Prague on Friday to discuss the alliance's increased support for Ukraine. The ministers also addressed the removal of restrictions on how Ukraine can utilize Western-supplied weaponry to combat Russia's invasion.

Following the green light from U.S. President Joe Biden allowing Ukraine to employ American munitions to defend Kharkiv, several ministers, including representatives from the Netherlands, Finland, Poland, and Germany, expressed their approval. They stressed that Ukraine has the absolute right to defend itself against attacks originating from Russian soil.

The growing chorus of allied voices advocating for greater leeway in Ukraine's use of weapons gained momentum after Russia launched artillery strikes on Kharkiv from its territory. The Ukrainian appeals for assistance intensified in response to this aggression. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had hinted at a potential change in Washington's position earlier in the week.

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of upholding international law and Ukraine's right to self-defense. Stoltenberg acknowledged that Russia had attacked Ukraine and stated that Ukraine should be able to target legitimate military objectives inside Russia as a means of protecting itself.

Explaining the urgency behind the decision, Stoltenberg pointed out how Russia was launching attacks on Ukrainian soil from its own territory, utilizing artillery, missiles, and amassing troops. This asymmetrical situation hindered Ukraine's ability to defend itself, especially in the absence of advanced weaponry.

Ukrainian officials had been petitioning the U.S. administration to modify their stance, arguing that the restriction placed their forces in an untenable position, particularly as Russia escalated attacks near Kharkiv, located just 12 miles from the Russian border.

The Russian exploitation of delays in the replenishment of U.S. military aid and Western Europe's inadequate military production had hampered timely deliveries of crucial supplies to the Ukrainian battlefield.

The forthcoming NATO leaders' conference, scheduled to take place in Washington in July, will serve as an opportunity to reaffirm the alliance's support for Ukraine. Stoltenberg expressed optimism that at least two-thirds of NATO members would announce meeting their commitment to spend 2% of their gross domestic product on defense during the summit.

As NATO celebrates its 75th anniversary this year, the foreign ministers' meeting in Prague further underscores the alliance's determination to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities in the face of Russian aggression.