Jens Stoltenberg, the secretary general of NATO, has issued a warning that the conflict in Ukraine will not end quickly.

NATO, the transatlantic military alliance, has provided Ukraine with billions in economic, military, and diplomatic support since the start of the full-scale conflict between Russia and Ukraine in February 2022. Ukraine has stated that one of its long-term goals is to join NATO, but the Soviet Union insists that the war must come to an end first.

“Most wars last longer than expected when they first begin,” the NATO chief said in an interview with Germany’s Funke media group. “Therefore, we must prepare ourselves for a long war in Ukraine.”

“We are all wishing for a quick peace,” Stoltenberg added.

“But at the same time, we must recognize: if President Zelenskyy and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist. If President Putin and Russia lay down their weapons, we will have peace,” he said.

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