NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that Ukraine and its allies will face a harsh winter, but urged the peoples of Western countries to continue their support as the conflict is at a critical point.
“In any case, we must be prepared for this winter, because there are no signs that Russia is giving up on its goal of taking control of Ukraine.”Stoltenberg said in comments to the Associated Press (AP) news agency, on the sidelines of the allied nations meeting taking place at Ramstein, a US air base in Germany.
At the meeting, which was aimed at coordinating military aid to Kiev, US Army Chief of Staff General Mark Milley congratulated himself on the “regular progress” of the Ukrainian counter-offensive.
The NATO chief also indicated that the war in Ukraine is approaching a “critical moment” and when the Russian offensive in the Donbas region appears to have “stalled”. “We see that the Ukrainians are able to fight back and take back some territory”he added.
Ukraine has guaranteed the supply of large quantities of weapons and ammunition to its armed forces, but now needs winter equipment. During Thursday’s meeting, German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht revealed that her country will provide electrical generators, tents and other equipment.
“Winter is coming and it will be tough on the battlefield in Ukraine. We know that the Ukrainian army currently has three times as many troops as last winter”said Stoltenberg.
“They urgently need winter uniforms, generators to produce electricity, warm clothes and tents and other things that can help them through the winter”.
Stoltenberg also said NATO is in contact with the defense industry to adapt arms production to the needs of the Ukrainian military and to bolster allied countries’ arsenal.
In a reference to the populations of the US, Canada and Europe being hit by rising energy prices, inflation and concerns about the supply of food products, the former Norwegian Prime Minister urged them to maintain confidence.
“I recognize that many people are frustrated and currently in trouble in NATO countries because of the rise in energy prices, the cost of living. But at the same time it is necessary to remember that the price we pay is measured in money, in dollars or pounds or euros, while the price Ukrainians pay is measured daily in loss of life”.
“If President Putin wins in Ukraine, the world will become more dangerous (…). But if we give up the fight, we will have peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, Ukraine will cease to exist as an independent nation. continue to provide support”he emphasized.
The military offensive launched by Russia on February 24 in Ukraine has already resulted in more than 13 million people having fled — more than six million internally displaced persons and more than seven million to European countries — according to the latest UN data, identified this refugee crisis as the worst in Europe since World War II (1939-1945).
The Russian invasion – justified by Putin with the need to “denazify” and demilitarize Ukraine for Russia’s security – was condemned by the generality of the international community, which responded by sending arms to Ukraine and imposing political sanctions on Russia.
The UN has stated that since the start of the war, which entered its 197th day this Thursday, 5,718 civilians have been killed and 8,199 injured, stressing that these numbers are far below the real one.
Source: DN
