NATO Secretary General Warns War in Ukraine Will Continue: Prepare for Long-Term Conflict

Sunday, 17/09/2023 10:45 WIB

Jakarta, CNBC Indonesia – NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has warned that the war in Ukraine will not end soon. This was revealed in an interview published on Sunday (17/9/2023), when Kyiv continued its counterattack against Russia.

“Most wars last longer than expected when they first occur,” Stoltenberg said in an interview with a media group Funke Germany, as quoted by AFP.

According to him, NATO allies must prepare themselves for a long-term war in Ukraine.

The conflict began in February 2022 when Moscow sent troops into Ukraine, sparking war again in Europe for the first time in decades.

Kyiv launched its counteroffensive in June, against entrenched Russian positions in the south and east, but made limited progress.

“We all hope for peace as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said.

“But at the same time we have to realize that if President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and Ukraine stop fighting, their country will no longer exist. If President (Vladimir) Putin and Russia lay down their arms, we will achieve peace.”

Regarding Ukraine’s ambitions to join the alliance, Stoltenberg said there was no doubt that Ukraine would eventually join NATO.

Kyiv had “approached NATO” at the alliance’s summit in July.

“When this war ends, we need security guarantees for Ukraine. Otherwise, history could repeat itself,” he added.

At a July summit in Vilnius, NATO leaders agreed that Ukraine could join the alliance once certain conditions were met, and U.S. and German officials made clear that this included Kyiv undertaking reforms to protect democracy and the rule of law.

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