"It's Up To Ukraine On Negotiated Requirements," NATO Secretary-General TOLD Russia Not To Make Russia Proud"

Secretary General of NATO Jens Stoltenberg. (Wikimedia Commons/Fornyingsdepartementet)

JAKARTA - Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg said on Monday it was up to Ukraine to decide what conditions could be accepted for negotiations to end Russia's war on the country.

He also warned Moscow's strength should not be underestimated, even though Kyiv forces have recently succeeded on the battlefield.

"We must not make mistakes by belittling Russia. The Russian armed forces have significant capabilities, as well as large numbers of troops," Stoltenberg said at a joint press conference with Dutch Government officials in The Hague.

"The months to come will be difficult. The goal (President Vladimir) Putin is to leave Ukraine cold and dark this winter. So we have to stay on that path," he said.

Echoing comments from US Secretary of State Antony Blinken over the weekend, Stoltenberg said it was up to Ukraine to decide when and how to negotiate with Russia to end the war.

"They are now paying the highest price in terms of loss of life and state damage. So, Ukraine is deciding what kind of conditions are acceptable for them," Stoltenberg said.

"What is happening around the table is basically related to the situation on the battlefield. So what we have to do is support Ukraine and strengthen their hands so that at some stage there can be negotiations in which Ukraine applies as an independent sovereign country in Europe," he added.

Earlier on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky visited Kherson's recently re-arrested southern city, marking the major setbacks of Moscow's three troops since the start of the war in February.

"We are moving forward. We are ready for peace, peace for our entire country," he said.

On the occasion, President Zelensky also thanked NATO and other allies for their ongoing support in the fight against Russia. He also said rocket shipments from the United States had made a big difference for Kyiv.