2023-09-17 10:36:46
Update
September 17, 2023
12:36
The NATO Secretary General also believes that Ukraine will join the alliance “sooner or later”, provided that certain criteria are met in terms of democracy and the rule of law.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warned thata quick end to the war in Ukraine should not be expectedin an interview published on Sunday, at a time when the Ukrainian army is engaged in a counter-offensive to repel Russian forces.
“Most wars last longer than expected when they started,” Stoltenberg said in this interview with the German media group Funke. “Therefore we must prepare for a long war in Ukraine,” he added.
“When this war ends, we will need security guarantees for Ukraine. Otherwise, history might repeat itself.”
The war began in February 2022, when Russian armed forces invaded Ukraine. The Ukrainian army has been waging a counter-offensive since June to push back Russian forces in the south and east.but this operation only made it possible to recapture a limited number of localities.
“We all want a quick peace,” Mr. Stoltenberg continued. “But at the same time we must recognize (this): if President (Volodymyr) Zelensky and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist“If President (Vladimir) Putin and Russia lay down their arms, we will have peace,” he said.
Joining “sooner or later”
As for Ukraine’s wish to join NATO, Mr. Stoltenberg assured: “There is no doubt that sooner or later Ukraine will be in NATO.”
kyiv moved closer to NATO during the alliance’s summit in July, he explained.
“When this war ends, we will need security guarantees for Ukraine. Otherwise, history might repeat itself“, at-il having you.
At the NATO summit in Vilnius, alliance leaders agreed that Ukraine might join NATO once certain conditions are metwith the American and German leaders emphasizing that among these conditions are reforms to protect democracy and the rule of law.
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