The NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that a major Russian offensive has started and warned that there is “no sign whatsoever” that Vladimir Putin is “preparing for peace.”
He said that Putting is pouring vast amounts of “weapons” and “more capabilities” into Ukraine and said that the West is in “a race of logistics” with Moscow.
Stoltenberg said that the West “must giver Ukraine what it needs to win” as it is clear Putin is “wanting to control” the country.
Stoltenberg told reporters, “What we see is President Putin and Russia still wanting to control Ukraine.
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“We see how they are sending more troops, more weapons, more capabilities.”
For many months Ukraine has been bracing for a new major Russian offensive and Kyiv needs fighter jets and long-range missiles in order to win.
Stoltenberg said Defence Ministers will discuss in a meeting later this week in Brussels whether to supply fighter jets aircrafts to Ukraine.
The NATO chief added, “There is now a discussion going on also on the question of aircrafts and I expect that also to be addressed tomorrow at the meeting in Brussels.”
Stoltenberg said, “We will step up and sustain our support for Ukraine.
“Almost one year since the invasion, President Putin is not preparing for peace. He is launching new offensives.
“We must continue to provide Ukraine with what it needs to win and to achieve a just and sustainable peace.
“Key capabilities… must reach Ukraine before Russia can seize initiative on the battlefield. Speed will save lives.”
Stoltenberg said that should Putin wins, it will send a message, he added, “Our message is clear – NATO stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes.
He said that NATO are planning to increase their targets for ammunition stockpiles, which are fast being depleted by the war.
He added, “The war in Ukraine is consuming an enormous amount of ammunition… This puts our defence industries under strain.”
“So we need to ramp up production and invest in our production capacities. NATO stands with Ukraine for as long as it takes.”
