NATO Secretary General: Putin has not changed his main goal, we expect a big battle in Donbas

"EUROPEAN TRUTH" - THURSDAY, APRIL 7, 2022, 17:52

Russian President Vladimir Putin has not abandoned his plan to control Ukraine and is moving the main forces to the east to seize Donbas.

This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg after a ministerial meeting in Brussels, writes " European Truth ".

"The easiest way to end this war is for President Putin to withdraw all troops and engage in a serious diplomatic effort to find a diplomatic solution. But we must be realistic and there is no sign that President Putin has changed his primary goal of controlling Ukraine and achieving significant military victories on the battlefield," Stoltenberg said.

He stressed that NATO does not see a Russian retreat, but only a regrouping, a change in the positions of their forces, a movement from the north of Ukraine to the east.

"And we expect a great battle in Donbas, a great Russian offensive. That is why the Allies today noted the need to urgently provide additional assistance to Ukraine," the Secretary General added.

Earlier it was reported that the foreign ministers of NATO countries at a meeting on Thursday will discuss further arms supplies to  Ukraine, in particular heavy weapons.

Faced with the prospect of a long and tedious war in Ukraine, NATO Allies are divided on how best to proceed in the next phase, according to media reports.

Recall that the UK may send armoured vehicles to Ukraine, and further support should be announced in the coming days.