Stoltenberg says Ukraine needs long-term support from Western states

Western countries should be prepared to offer long-term support to Ukraine, as Russia shows no signs that it has given up the war, NATO Secretary General has said.

Jens Stoltenberg told the BBC that military support would ensure Ukraine's survival as a sovereign country and force Russia to sit down and negotiate to end the war.

The Russian partial mobilization programme, ordered in September, showed that Moscow had no desire to end the war currently”, Stoltenberg said of Radio 4 World at One's programme.

Ukrainian forces had momentum for several months, but we also know that Russia has mobilised much more force, many of them are now training”, he said.

All this indicates that they are prepared to continue the war and also try to start a new offensive”, Stoltenberg said.

Russian rockets and drones have hit Ukraine at night and New Year's Day, the BBC writes.