With Russia showing no signs of setbacks, the West must be ready to provide long-term assistance to Ukraine, the NATO secretary general said. Jens Stoltenberg told the news portals that military aid would ensure Ukraine’s survival as a sovereign state and force Russia to sit and negotiate an end to the war. The Russian leader has accused Western powers of using Ukraine to destroy his country. Russian missiles and drones hit Ukraine on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Russia’s partial mobilization program ordered in September shows Moscow is unwilling to end the war at this point, Stoltenberg told Radio 4’s World at One program.
“The Ukrainian forces had the momentum for several months, but we also know that Russia has mobilized many more forces, many of them are now training,” he said. “All that indicates that they are prepared to continue the war and also try to potentially launch a new offensive.”Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a New Year’s speech, in which he tried to rally people behind his troops fighting in Ukraine, saying that the country’s future was at stake.”That is everything you need to know about the terror state and its army,” he wrote on Facebook, adding that the remains had crashed in a children’s playground. Though let-upt up in hostilities looks to be in sight,. Mr Stoltenberg said Nato must ensure Ukraine stays in a strong position in the event of negotiation talks between the two sides.
“We need to provide support to Ukraine now, including military support, because that’s the only way to convince Russia that they have to sit down and negotiate in good faith and respect Ukraine as a sovereign independent nation in Europe,” .Mr. Stoltenberg said. “What we do know is that what Ukraine can achieve around that table is totally dependent on the strength on the battlefield.” Prior to Mr Stoltenberg’s interview, France – a Nato member – reiterated its backing for Ukraine. “We will be beside you without fail. We will help you until victory is achieved,” said French President Emmanuel Macron in his New Year’s address.
