[Asia Economy Reporter Park Byung-hee] Jens Stoltenberg, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), said on the 6th (local time) that the war in Ukraine could continue for several years.
According to AFP, Secretary General Stoltenberg told reporters ahead of a NATO foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels, Belgium, "We must face reality and realize that this could continue for a long time, for months, or even years." He said there is no sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin has abandoned his ambition to take control of the entire Ukraine, and the war could last a long time.
Stoltenberg added, "This is why we need to prepare for a long-term conflict regarding support for Ukraine, maintaining sanctions, and strengthening our defense." He said, "Ukraine urgently needs military support," emphasizing the importance of NATO allies agreeing to provide many other types of military equipment, artillery systems, and additional heavy equipment.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers of NATO member countries will hold meetings in Brussels from the 6th to the 7th to discuss issues including Ukraine.
On the second day, the 7th, a joint NATO-partner foreign ministers' meeting will be held, with invited foreign ministers from eight countries including South Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand from the Asia-Pacific region, as well as Ukraine, Finland, Sweden, and Georgia expected to attend.
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