NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed this in an interview with Agence France-Presse on Friday Russia is preparing for a long war in Ukraine which NATO allies must continue to supply until President Vladimir Putin realizes he cannot “win the battlefield”.
Nearly ten months after the Russian military operation in Ukraine, Ukrainian forces inflicted a series of defeats on the Kremlin that allowed the liberation of large parts of the country, but Stoltenberg stressed: “There is no indication that Putin has abandoned the his goal to control Ukraine.”
And he went on to say in an interview with Agence France-Presse: “We should not underestimate Russia, as it is preparing for a long war, mobilizing more forces, and is ready to suffer great losses and is trying to get more weapons and ammunition “.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg – Reuters
“We must realize that President Putin is ready to continue this war for a long time and launch new attacks,” he added.
NATO countries, led by the United States, have supplied Ukraine with billions of dollars in weapons that have helped it resist Russian forces.
“This war is very likely to end up at the negotiating table, like most wars. Any solution must ensure that Ukraine remains a sovereign and independent state,” Stoltenberg said.
And he considered that “the fastest way to achieve this is to support him militarily, so that President Putin realizes that he is not capable of winning on the battlefield and that he must sit down and negotiate in good faith.”
Elements of the Ukrainian Army
The Ukrainian army
The Ukrainian army
Speed up production
Following setbacks on the battlefield, Moscow has launched a series of rocket attacks and bombing marches against civilian energy facilities.
According to US reports, Washington is finalizing plans to send the most advanced Patriot missile batteries to Ukraine, as well as Western air defense systems received from Kiev.
Stoltenberg said “there are ongoing talks” about delivering the Patriot systems, but stressed that NATO countries must ensure there are sufficient quantities of ammunition and spare parts to keep the weapons sent so far functional.
“The Allies are discussing the delivery of additional systems, but it is increasingly important to verify that all delivered systems are operational,” he added.
Requests for arms from Ukraine have depleted NATO member states’ stockpiles and raised fears of a potential inability of the alliance’s defense industries to produce sufficient quantities.
“We are ramping up our production to meet this specific goal so that we can simultaneously reconfigure our deterrence and defense stockpiles and continue to provide long-term support to Ukraine,” Stoltenberg said.
articulated stage
The Russian military operation in Ukraine has shocked Western countries. NATO was forced to undertake its biggest adjustment since the Cold War by strengthening its eastern flank. The situation prompted Finland and Sweden to accelerate their applications to join the alliance.
Stoltenberg underlined: “It is the most serious security crisis we have known in Europe since the Second World War. It is a crucial phase”.
He explained that despite a recent decline in Putin’s nuclear threats, the alliance remains “vigilant and constantly monitors what it is doing”.
He stressed that “nuclear rhetoric with references to the possible use of nuclear weapons is unwise and dangerous.”
“His goal is, of course, to dissuade us from supporting Ukraine, but he won’t be able to do that,” he added.
Jens Stoltenberg’s mandate, extended by a year last March, expires at the end of 2023. The 63-year-old former Norwegian prime minister has not made it clear whether he will leave office permanently next year. He just said, “I have no other plans.”
He declined to comment on calls made by some alliance members to nominate a woman to succeed him for the first time in the alliance.
In conclusion, he said: “My goal is to assume my responsibilities as Secretary General of NATO so as to preserve the unity of the alliance. That is my only concern, and then I leave it up to the leaders of states and governments to decide who it will happen to me”.
