"I welcome these developments and decisions but individual allies will need to make the final decision. Allies have different policies on this issue," Mr. Stoltenberg told LBC radio on September 16.

For months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been pleading with allies to allow Ukraine to fire Western missiles, including the US's long-range ATACMS and the UK's Storm Shadows, deep into Russian territory.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and US President Joe Biden held talks in Washington on September 13 about whether to allow Ukraine to use long-range missiles against targets in Russia. No decision was announced.

Some US officials are skeptical that allowing Ukraine to use such missiles would make a significant difference in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has said the West will declare war on Russia if it allows Ukraine to attack with Western-made long-range missiles.

Asked about the possibility of Russian retaliation, Mr Stoltenberg said “there is no risk-free option in war”.

Ngoc Anh (according to Reuters)