NATO chief calls on Europe to ramp up arms production to avoid 'decades' of conflict with Russia

Jens Stoltenberg, pictured with Ukrainian President Zelensky, called for support in the fight against Russian aggression. Photo: AFP

Europe must move to wartime weapons production to deter Russian aggression and help Ukraine, NATO Secretary General said.

Jens Stoltenberg warned that “we need to rebuild and expand our industrial base faster” to increase supplies to Ukraine.» and replenish our own supplies.»

«This means a transition from slow peacetime to high-speed conflict production,» he told German Sunday daily Welt am Sonntag.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine proved that «peace in Europe cannot be taken for granted » he said ahead of the second anniversary of Putin's illegal invasion this month.

» If Putin wins in Ukraine, there is no guarantee that Russian aggression will not spread further, » he said.

“Supporting Ukraine now and investing in NATO's own capabilities is our best defense.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is approaching its second anniversary. Photo: REUTERS

“NATO is not seeking war with Russia, but we need to prepare for a potential confrontation for decades to come.”

Mr Stoltenberg’s comments come amid growing requests from Ukraine for shells, ammunition and other military assistance as it enters its third year of fighting Russian forces.

Moscow switched to a wartime economy and invested huge sums in its army. Russia spends 40 percent of its GDP on war, something the West is struggling to cope with.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and US President Joe Biden on Friday called on US lawmakers to approve a long-delayed military project. aid package for Ukraine.

“The failure of the US Congress not to support Ukraine is close to criminal neglect,” Mr. Biden said when he received Mr. Scholz in the Oval Office.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz met with US President Joe Biden on Friday Photo: SHUTTERSTOCK

EU leaders supported a 50 billion aid package for Kiev euros (£42.6 billion) after Hungary's Viktor Orban, the closest person to Putin. The EU ally vetoed the funds on February 1.

In November, Boris Pistorius, Germany's defense minister, admitted that the EU's promise to provide Ukraine with a million shells by March this year would not be fulfilled. met.

Mr Stoltenberg said: “As long as we invest in our security and remain united, we will continue to deter any aggression.”

“We are closely monitoring what is happening Russia, and we have increased our presence in the eastern part of the alliance.»

NATO defense ministers will meet in Brussels on February 15, a week before the second anniversary of the Russian offensive in Ukraine.

< p>A key event in the negotiations will be a meeting of the Contact Group for the Defense of Ukraine.