Winter challenges ahead: Stoltenberg reaffirms NATO's unwavering support for Ukraine
Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Minister of Defense of Ukraine, Rustem Umerov, and Secretary-General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, held talks in Brussels today, December 4. The parties discussed the current situation on the front and the urgent military needs of the Ukrainian forces, according to the NATO press service.
Stoltenberg assured of the Alliance’s unwavering support for Ukraine.
"With winter expected to complicate fighting, Mr Stoltenberg stressed that Allies are committed to stepping up political and practical support to Ukraine as it defends itself against Russia’s invasion," NATO says.
Stoltenberg reiterated that the Alliance would provide long-term support to Ukraine to make the Armed Forces "fully interoperable" within NATO and "bring them even closer to the Alliance."
Umerov and Stoltenberg also discussed Ukraine's path to NATO membership and the country's efforts in reforms.
"Mr Stoltenberg reiterated that Ukraine will become a member of NATO when all Allies agree and when conditions are met," the statement says.
Stoltenberg already met with the head of the Ukrainian MoD twice - in Kyiv in September and at a NATO defense ministers meeting in October.
Head of Ukrainian MoD Rustem Umerov and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on December 4 (photo: nato.int)
Winter phase of the war
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy states that the war is now at a new phase, as winter will complicate military operations. In an interview with The Economist, the head of state explains that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not understand that Russia is losing in a long war. Zelenskyy also notes that he does not want to think about a prolonged war but is preparing for it. According to him, Ukraine is ready to "fight for a long time without losing people."
Earlier, military experts explained to RBC-Ukraine whether the bad weather affected combat operations on the front and what could be expected in winter.
Before, Stoltenberg underlined that military support to Ukraine was in the interest of the Alliance itself. According to him, the bloc must continue to assist the Ukrainian side "in good and bad times."
