Europe must be prepared for a decade of Ukrainian war, the outgoing Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg has warned.
Speaking to the BBC, he said the “paradox” of the war in Ukraine is the longer the western military alliance commits to fighting the war, the faster a resolution will be reached.
Russia launched the so-called “special military operation” in Ukraine in February 2022.
Mr. Stoltenberg, who ends his 10-year tenure as secretary general in October, reportedly urged European NATO members to boost their commitments amid fears that US funds could be slashed or even stopped if Donald Trump wins a second term as US president in November's election.
Asked if NATO allies had to be prepared for the conflict in Ukraine going on for more than 10 years, Mr. Stoltenberg said: “Yes.”
He added: "But the main message is that the stronger the support for Ukraine and the longer we are willing to commit, the sooner this war can end.
"The paradox is that now President Putin believes that he can wait us out. So therefore, the war continues.
"When we communicate very clearly that we are here for long haul, that we have strong enduring support for Ukraine, then we have the conditions for a solution where Ukraine prevails as a sovereign independent state.”
It comes as NATO announced a command unit to coordinate support for Ukraine will be operational in Germany from September.
“This will provide more predictability and accountability and support and it will also demonstrate our enduring commitment to support Ukraine,” Mr. Stoltenberg said.
“The time to stand up for freedom and democracy is now and the place is Ukraine.”
