Stoltenberg: Ukraine gradually gaining ground in counteroffensive

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said on Thursday that the alliance needs to “sustain” the support for Ukraine, as that is what allowed Kyiv to launch a counteroffensive in its war with Russia.

Speaking to the European Parliament, Stoltenberg claimed that Ukraine is “gaining ground” in its counteroffensive and that it managed to reach the defensive lines of the Russian forces. He added that NATO has two tasks: supporting Ukraine and “preventing escalation.” Stoltenberg claimed that, for this reason, NATO increased its military presence in Eastern Europe to send a “clear message” to Russia that it is prepared to defend “every inch” of the alliance’s territory.