NATO chief says Russian war in Ukraine not going as planned

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg believes that Russian military operation in Ukraine is not going the way planned for it.

Ukraine can score a victory in its fight against Russian forces, as the situation on the battleground is not developing according to Moscow's plans, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed on Sunday.

After the informal meetings of the military bloc's foreign ministers, Stoltenberg revealed that the main topics of the discussions were strong support for Ukraine, the strengthening of NATO's deterrence and defense, and the longer-term implications of the war, including the alliance's future stance towards Russia.

Russia's war in Ukraine is not going as planned by Moscow. They didn't take Kiev. Their major offensive against Kharkiv has stalled, and they are pulling back from around Kharkiv. Russia is not achieving its strategic objectives, Stoltenberg said.

He said that, contrary to the alleged wishes of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukraine continues its fight, NATO is stronger than ever and the US and Europe are solidly united. Ukrainians are bravely defending their homeland, the alliance spokesman general said, adding that weapons supplies and other support from its allies are making a real difference on the battlefield. Stoltenberg argued that the bloc should continue supporting Ukraine.

The Secretary General revealed that the allies will make important decisions at the June NATO summit in Madrid, including the ones that are intended to strengthen the deterrence and defenses of the alliance.

Russia insists that it is fulfilling all its objectives in Ukraine and will not turn off its intended path. During a TV broadcast on Saturday, the Russian ambassador in the US said there would be no capitulation. He said that we will never give up, we will not step back.

Earlier this month, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that the Russian military operation in Ukraine was going according to plan. Moscow has warned the West not to pump up Ukraine with weapons, claiming that it would only lead to long-term problems and prolongation of the conflict. It stressed that foreign weapons on Ukrainian territory would be considered legitimate targets.

Russia attacked the neighboring state in late February after Ukraine failed to implement the terms of the Minsk agreements, first signed in 2014, and Moscow s eventual recognition of the Donbass republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. The German and French protocols were designed to give the breakaway regions special status within the Ukrainian state.

The Kremlin has since demanded that Ukraine declare itself a neutral country that will never join the US-led NATO military bloc. Kiev insists that the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked and has denied that it was planning to retake the two republics by force.