NATO Deputy Secretary General calls to prepare for long war in Ukraine

Mircea Geoană said this on Friday, January 12, during the LIVE cu Rotaru și Kiss show on the Romanian TV channel Digi24.

"As some of us, perhaps at the beginning of the war, almost 3 years ago, thought that in two weeks the Russians would occupy Kyiv, we said: "No, Ukraine has the ability to resist," in the same way, perhaps, we had too much enthusiasm and optimism at the beginning of the Ukrainian offensive in the spring," added the NATO Deputy Secretary General.

He noted that Russia's military economy "meets today's needs. In addition, in a manner that is "completely outside the framework of international law," North Korea and Iran are promising or already sending Russia additional weapons against Ukrainians. He therefore called to prepare for a long war.

"My call is to prepare for a long war, it will continue. It will not end in 2024, probably not in 2025.  We do not see anywhere the military potential to be able to win a decisive victory in one way or another. We expect a protracted war with small offensives, counteroffensives, with gaining and losing territory," he said.

Mircea Geoană added that NATO is confident that the US Congress will approve new financial assistance to Ukraine. He noted that there are not many problems with financing, but there is a problem with industrial capacity, mainly in Europe. However, work is ongoing in this field, including in accordance with the military production action plan adopted in Vilnius.

At the same time, the NATO Deputy Secretary General warned against excessive pessimism, as Ukraine has enough resources to be successful in the war. 

"With our support, the Ukrainians managed to regain 50% of the territory originally occupied by the Russians. This is not a trifle. Under no circumstances will we be able to accept Russia returning to Romania's border. We need Ukraine to stand, Moldova to join Europe, Georgia to join the Euro-Atlantic community," Mircea Geoană said. 

• At a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council on January 10, Allies said they would continue to help Kyiv strengthen its air defense and promised to provide "billions of euros of additional capacity" in 2024.