“Most wars last longer than expected when they started. Therefore, we must prepare for a long war in Ukraine”, warns NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in an interview with the German media group Funke on Sunday September 17. If he says he wishes “a quick peace”he recognizes the impossibility of asking Ukraine to lay down its arms: “If President Zelensky and the Ukrainians stop fighting, their country will no longer exist.” “There is no doubt that sooner or later Ukraine will be in NATO”, also affirms the boss of the military alliance. Follow our live stream.
Kim Jong-un leaves Russia. The North Korean leader’s armored train returned to his country on Sunday, following a visit that began on Tuesday, Russian news agencies report. Earlier, he received five explosive drones, a reconnaissance drone and a bulletproof vest as a gift from the governor of the Primorye region, according to TASS.
Russia pushes back new Ukrainian drones. The Russian Defense Ministry announces that an aircraft was shot down in the Moscow region. “According to preliminary information, there is no damage or casualties”, says the mayor of the Russian capital. Six other drones were destroyed around Crimea, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Russian army denies loss of village in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian soldiers “tried in vain to dislodge Russian troops from the localities of Klishchiivka and Andriivka”, south of Bakhmut, Moscow said on Saturday. The day before, the Ukrainian general staff had claimed “release” from Andriivka.