U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, left, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba hold a news conference as part of the NATO Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Ukraine at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium, Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023. (Saul Loeb/Pool photo: PA)
BRUSSELS (AP) — Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba insisted Wednesday that NATO allies show no signs of war fatigue and remain committed to helping Ukraine itself, which is opposed to Russia, and retaking occupied territories.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Kuleba also said President Vladimir Putin had miscalculated whether he considered it valuable to keep his forces in Ukraine at least until the U. S. presidential election a year from now, a series that could usher in a new administration.
“I heard a clear ‘no’ to any reference to fatigue, and I heard a clear ‘yes’ to more aid for Ukraine,” Kuleba said after meeting his NATO counterparts in Brussels. He said some allies had made new offers yet. He declined to provide details.
“They perceive that in order to feel and not be placed in a scenario where NATO infantrymen will have to fight, Ukraine has to win this war,” Kuleba said.
After more than 650 days of war, fighting between Russia and Ukraine is deadlocked, with neither making significant progress. NATO estimates that Russia has suffered around 300,000 casualties, but officials refuse to speculate on the death toll in Ukraine.
NATO as an organization does not provide military assistance to Ukraine; Many members do this separately or in groups. But the source of ammunition and gadgets has become a challenge as national weapons stockpiles dwindle.
And the narrative has changed. Six weeks ago, senior NATO officials and ministers praised the slow but slow progress made through Ukraine’s armed forces. This week, the country’s mere survival was hailed as a victory.
However, U. S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the allies were “committed to ensuring that Ukraine has what it needs, as well as regaining territory. “He said many NATO members need to “help Ukraine build a long-term force capable of deterrence and defense in the face of long wars. “execute the aggression. “
Blinken said the only thing preventing the end of the war is the status “is Vladimir Putin and the extent to which he believes he can outlive Ukraine, outlive his people,” and Putin’s refusal “to have meaningful interaction in international relations or negotiations. “”
A senior U. S. official said that most, if not all, NATO allies, Putin will not accept any deal with Ukraine before the U. S. election, and they make their decisions about helping Ukraine in that spirit.