- Title: Russia is trying to 'freeze' the conflict with Ukraine, NATO's Stoltenberg says
- Date: 7th December 2022
- Summary: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM (FILE - OCTOBER 13, 2022) (REUTERS) FLAGS OF NATO MEMBER STATES OUTSIDE NATO HEADQUARTERS
- Embargoed: 21st December 2022 14:50
- Keywords: Conflict Freeze Invasion Kyiv Moscow NATO Negotiation Russia Stoltenberg Ukraine War
- Location: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: BRUSSELS, BELGIUM / LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: Belgium
- Topics: Europe,NATO,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001510507122022RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday (December 7) said Russia was trying to "have some kind of freeze of this war with Ukraine in order to prepare for "a bigger offensive next spring."
In an interview with the Financial Times Global Boardroom, Stoltenberg said the Russian military would try to " can regroup, repair, recover" ahead of such an attack.
He expressed support for the Ukrainian "right for self-defence."
Asked if the conditions for a peace agreement between Russia and Ukraine were met, Stoltenberg said they were not because "because Russia has shown no sign of engaging in negotiations which are respecting the sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Russia launched its "special military operation" in February saying Ukraine's close ties with the West posed a security threat. Kyiv and its allies say the invasion was an illegal war of aggression.
Tens of thousands have died in the war, including at least 6,700 civilian deaths counted by the United Nations.
Russia denies intentionally targeting civilians or committing atrocities on occupied territory.
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