Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg has warned members of the military alliance the war in Ukraine will not be over in the near future and that they should prepare for a “long war” against Russia.
Stoltenberg made the remarks in an interview with German media over the weekend, shortly before Ukrainian President Zelensky is due to visit the United States to demand more military assistance, in which he argued:
“Most wars last longer than expected when they first begin… We all want a quick peace, but at the same time, we must recognize: if President Zelensky and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist.”
“If President Putin and Russia lay down their weapons, we will have peace,” Stoltenberg added, suggesting there’s little appetite among NATO members to make concessions to bring peace.
Pressure has begun to mount on Ukraine and its NATO allies over the summer’s failed counter-offensive, with the Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs telling reporters to “shut up” about the effort.
Former President Donald Trump has been repeatedly attacked for promising to bring a swift end to the war, including his Vice President Mike Pence suggesting the 45th President is not conservative because he is anti-war.