(MENAFN) NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has called on foreign backers of Ukraine to be prepared to maintain their military support for a long time. Stoltenberg noted that Ukraine’s expenditure of munitions in its conflict with Russia has outpaced the production capacity of the nations arming Kiev, and urged members of the US-led bloc to increase their military spending to sustain the war effort. He also claimed that Russia is running low on weapons and seeking arms from other nations, including Iran and North Korea.
Stoltenberg criticized Beijing’s attempt to mediate in the conflict and broker a peace agreement, saying China needs to engage with Ukrainian President Zelenskiy directly and understand Ukraine’s perspectives. His comments come after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also warned that the conflict could last a long time.
Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has also predicted a drawn-out conflict, but blamed Western nations for the hostilities. He claimed that the “Anglosaxon world” cannot tolerate a sovereign Russia whose policies it can no longer influence, and that the Western goal is to split Russia into smaller pieces which could then be demilitarized and exploited.
The ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia highlights the complex and volatile geopolitical landscape in the region, and the potential for lasting consequences for both countries and their foreign backers. As the situation continues to evolve, it will be important for all parties to prioritize dialogue, diplomacy, and a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
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