NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes that Ukraine needs to be provided with the weapons it needs for victory, and the risk of Russia using nuclear weapons is low.

He stated this in an interview with the German newspaper Handelsblatt shortly before the meeting of the allies at the American Ramstein base, which is scheduled for January 20.

According to him, Ukraine can count on increased supplies of heavy weapons from Western countries in the near future. 

"We are in the decisive phase of the war. Difficult battles await us. Therefore, it is important to provide Ukraine with the weapons it needs to win and continue to be an independent nation. Military support for Ukraine is the fastest way to peace," he said. 

According to NATO Secretary General, Russian dictator Vladimir Putin made a mistake by attacking Ukraine. 

"He overestimated the strength of his own armed forces. We see their mistakes, lack of morale, problems with command, poor equipment," he said.

At the same time, the NATO Secretary General added that the Russians "demonstrated that they are ready to bear great losses to achieve their goal."

Regarding the risk of nuclear escalation, which was repeatedly pointed out by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, Stoltenberg said: "The risk of using nuclear weapons is low."

As you know, Ukraine has been asking for more heavy weapons for months.

For a long time, Western countries did not want to supply Ukraine with heavy weapons, citing fears of being drawn into a war or provoking Russia.  

Recently, the range of weapons provided has now expanded.

France, Germany and the United States promised to send armored vehicles with infantry or reconnaissance tanks - 40 German Marders, 50 American Bradleys and French AMX-10 RCs. 

Britain announced on Saturday that it will deliver Challenger 2 tanks, thus becoming the first country to supply Western-made heavy tanks to Ukraine. 

Russia condemned the decision as only "deepening" the conflict. 

Poland and Finland have expressed their readiness to supply Ukraine with heavier Leopard 2 tanks.

We will remind you that earlier NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that we must be ready for a long war, which Russia started on February 24, 2022 in Ukraine.

Read also:

  • World news

  • War in Ukraine

  • News of Ukraine: video