Brussels, April 5, (dpa/GNA) – NATO expects an intensified Russian offensive in eastern and southern Ukraine in the coming weeks, with the goal of capturing the entire Donbass region and creating a land bridge to occupied Crimea.
Secretary-General, Jens Stoltenberg, said the Western alliance has seen the significant movement of troops away from the capital Kiev, as the Russian military now focuses on the east.
The troops are being regrouped and rearmed, Stoltenberg said, calling this “a crucial phase of the war.”
NATO foreign ministers will meet on Wednesday and Thursday, to discuss how the Ukrainian armed forces can be given additional support.
“Allies are determined to provide further support to Ukraine.
Including anti-tank weapons, air-defence systems and other equipment.
Allies have also increased humanitarian assistance and financial aid,” he said.
He said the world had seen “the horrific images of murdered civilians in Bucha and other places, controlled by the Russian military until a few days ago.”
“This is unbearable brutality that Europe has not witnessed in many decades,” he continued. “Targeting and murdering civilians is a war crime. And all those responsible for these atrocities must be brought to justice.”
GNA