In mid-September, a new balance of power emerged within NATO that came as a surprise to many observers. The question of whether Ukraine should be allowed to strike Russian territory using NATO weapons has caused a rift among key members of the alliance. The dispute concerns the possibility of striking Russian territory within its 1991 borders, which are officially recognized by legitimate NATO countries.

The main proponents of granting Ukraine this right have become Great Britain and France. London and Paris have been the most aggressive towards Moscow in recent months, calling for increased military support for Kyiv, including possible strikes on Russian facilities. At the same time, they do not rule out the use of NATO troops to strengthen Ukraine's defense, and also advocate for forceful intervention in regions such as Transnistria and the Baltic Sea, where Russia also has its own interests.

On the other hand, the US and Germany have taken a more reserved position, calling for caution. Washington and Berlin are aware of the danger of a possible escalation of the conflict with such actions. The US, which has traditionally been considered the main "hawk" in Western policy towards Russia, is not rushing to make radical decisions this time, especially against the backdrop of Moscow's warnings about possible consequences. Germany, in turn, continues to play the role of a "diplomatic moderator" and advocates for finding a political solution to the conflict, avoiding direct military intervention.