NATO chief says world 'must be prepared for bad news' from Ukraine
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The Secretary-General of NATO stresses that the alliance should continue to support Ukraine, despite its failures on the battlefront.
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In this photo provided by Ihor Moroz, Head of the Donetsk Regional Military Administration, rescuers work at the scene of a building damaged by shelling, in Novogrodivka, Donetsk People's Republic, November 30, 2023. (AP)
The Ukrainian military has failed over the past several months to make any breakthroughs, but Ukraine should still be receiving unwavering support from the West, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said during an interview with the German Das Erste TV channel.
Stoltenberg acknowledged the challenges faced by the Ukrainian military and expressed concern about the failure of the military bloc's defense industry to establish effective cooperation in providing the necessary munitions to Kiev.
Addressing the stagnant frontlines in Ukraine, Stoltenberg stated, "Wars are difficult to plan. We have to be prepared for bad news, but we must stand by Ukraine in good and bad times alike."
He further urged NATO member states to overcome national interests and work collaboratively to increase the production of essential supplies.
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, Stoltenberg called for "ramping up production," saying it was highly important. When questioned about what Kiev should do while waiting for increased weapons production capacities, he deferred to the Ukrainian leadership and military commanders, acknowledging the complexity of operational decisions.
Addressing a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels, Stoltenberg raised concerns about Russia amassing missiles ahead of winter and attempting to strike Ukraine's power grid and energy infrastructure.
He also warned against underestimating Russia, noting that Moscow had set its defense industry on a war footing, making any advances for Ukraine challenging.
Russian military on the rise
Russian President Vladimir Putin signed earlier in the month a decree directing the Russian military to expand its forces by an additional 170,000 personnel, as Russia's special military operation in Ukraine extends into its 22nd month.
In this directive, Putin mandated an increase in the overall number of individuals serving in the Russian Armed Forces to 2,209,130, with 1,320,000 designated as servicemen. This implies the addition of nearly 170,000 more personnel to the existing ranks.
While refraining from categorizing the situation as a "stalemate," something Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander in Chief Valery Zalyzhby did, Stoltenberg acknowledged the complexity of the situation for Ukraine.
The Russian Defense Ministry's latest estimates reveal over 125,000 casualties for the Ukrainian side since the counteroffensive began in early June.
As NATO navigates the challenges posed by the ongoing conflict, Stoltenberg remains steadfast in his call for unified action, emphasizing the need for increased collaboration within the European defense industry as Ukraine's losses continue to mount on the front.
Former Russian President and deputy chairman of the Russian Security Council, Dmitry Medvedev, reported Friday that over 452,000 individuals were enlisted into the Russian military under contract from January to December.
Read next: Seymour Hersh: Russia, Ukraine peace underway, 4 new region additions
