Ukrainian armed forces have achieved considerable success in counterattacking Russian forces in southern and eastern Ukraine, but it appears for now that the fighting will drag on for months, said US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken and the NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg.
Blinken, who is visiting NATO in Brussels after visiting Kiev, said the war in Ukraine is entering a critical period and called on the West to support the country in the coming months and through the winter.
“The first signs are positive and we see that Ukraine is making real and visible progress. But this will probably take some time. “A large number of Russian soldiers are in Ukraine, and unfortunately, tragically, terribly, President Vladimir Putin has shown that he will throw a lot of people into this, even though it will cost Russia a lot,” Blinken said.
Stoltenberg declared that “the invasion launched by Putin in February is entering a critical phase”.
“Ukrainian forces managed to stop Moscow’s offensive in Donbass, retaliate and regain territory,” he said.
However, he warned that allies will be tested in the coming months due to the energy crisis and rising prices.
Otherwise, Ukraine is reported to have recaptured over 20 villages in the Kherson region.