Ukraine-Russia latest: Putin not interested in peace ahead of crucial winter, says Nato boss in stark warning
Western allies must step up their military aid for Ukraine to strengthen Kyiv’s position against Russia as “Vladimir Putin is not interested in peace”, NATO chief Mark Rutte has warned.
Moscow’s troops have been capturing village after village in Ukraine’s east, part of a drive to seize the industrial Donbas region, while Russian airstrikes target a hobbled Ukrainian energy grid as winter sets in.
“We will all need to do more. The stronger our military support to Ukraine is now, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table,” Mr Rutte said ahead of a Nato meeting in Brussels.
“Putin is not interested in peace. He is pressing on, trying to take more territory. Because he thinks he can break Ukraine‘s resolve and ours, but he is wrong.” The Nato chief further warned, “Ukraine is entering another crucial winter”.
It comes as Germany and the United States unveiled military aid for Ukraine. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz announced €650 million (£538m) in military equipment on a surprise visit to Kyiv yesterday.
The Biden administration is also sending Ukraine $725m (£572m) worth of missiles, ammunition, anti-personnel mines and other weapons, secretary of state Antony Blinken said.
