NATO Secretary-General Calls President Putin Try Use Winter As A Weapons Against Ukraine

Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg. (Wikimedia Commons/US Department of State)

JAKARTA - Russia is likely to continue attacking Ukraine's power grid, gas infrastructure and basic services for the community, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.

"Doing that when we enter winter shows that President (Vladimir) Putin is now trying to use winter as a war weapon against Ukraine," he told reporters at a news conference in Bucharest ahead of a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers.

While citing Ukrinform, Stoltenberg told German media outlet Welt NATO should increase its support for Ukraine, not to give President Putin the opportunity to bring Kyiv to his knees during winter.

Currently, he said, President Putin reacted to defeat with "more brutality." With the start of winter, Moscow began bombing Ukraine's energy system to bring the country to its knees.

He noted that the more successful the military is, the stronger it will be in future negotiations.

"We can strengthen Ukraine's position at the negotiating table if we provide military support to the country. The best way to support peace is to support Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.

He added that all partners must support and increase aid to Ukraine. According to him, it will help Ukraine defend their right to self-defense.

Stoltenberg admits aid to Ukraine comes at a price in Western society, due to rising food and electricity bills, meaning difficult times for many households in Europe.

"But we have to remember, the Ukrainian people pay with their blood every day," he said.

Stoltenberg said that if Putin wins the war, he and the other typos would continue to use violence to achieve their goals.

"That could mean more war and more suffering. It will make our world even more dangerous. It is our own interest for Ukraine to win," he concluded.