By Kontur and AFP | 2023-11-28

BRUSSELS -- The West has "no alternative" but to keep backing Ukraine's fight against Russia, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said November 27.

"It very often happens in wars that when people realize that this may last a long time of course, that is demanding; that is difficult," Stoltenberg told AFP in an interview at NATO's headquarters in Brussels.

"We don't have any alternative. The alternative, to let [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin win, is a tragedy for Ukraine and is dangerous for us."

The United States has provided more than $40 billion in security aid to Ukraine since Russia's invasion in February 2022 and pledged to back Kyiv for as long as it takes.

"Despite the difficulties, despite the lack of progress or achievements or territorial gains, we need to continue to support Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

"We have a responsibility as political leaders but also as individual citizens in our countries to stand up for Ukraine."

Stoltenberg pushed back at fears that the failure by Ukrainian forces to make a breakthrough and doubts over Western commitment fueled a belief in the Kremlin that it could score a victory over the long term.

Putin's strategic defeat

"Putin has not achieved what he wanted in Ukraine," he said. "The war in Ukraine is a big strategic mistake and defeat for Putin."

"Of course we would like them to liberate as much territory as possible, as quickly as possible, but even though the frontline has not moved, Ukrainians have been able to inflict heavy losses on the Russian invaders," Stoltenberg said.

"We see high casualty numbers, and some of the most intense fighting that we have seen in the whole war [has] actually taken place over the last weeks and couple of months," Stoltenberg said.

"We need to distinguish between the fact that the frontline is not moving so much, and the fact that actually there's very heavy fighting going on."

The NATO chief insisted that, while Ukrainian forces were not currently progressing, Kyiv had already recaptured 50% of territory seized by Russia since its full-scale invasion.

"This is a big win for Ukraine," he said. "Meanwhile, Russia is weaker politically, economically and militarily."

The alliance chief refused to speculate on whether Ukraine could be granted membership to NATO if it agreed to cede some of its occupied territory to Russia.

Ukraine's decision

"It's for Ukraine to decide what kind of conditions they are willing to accept; it's our responsibility to support Ukraine and that's exactly what we're doing," Stoltenberg said.

NATO foreign ministers conferring in Brussels on November 28 will look to reassure Kyiv of their backing despite Israel's war with Hamas diverting much attention.

NATO allies had sent increasingly advanced weapon systems to Ukraine to help it advance and that work was going on to try to better link up how Kyiv's forces use technology like drones and cyber to attack, said Stoltenberg.

"I'm absolutely certain that the message from NATO allies at this meeting... is that we need to stand by Ukraine," he said.

"It is our security interest that President Putin does not win this war."