In June, NATO leaders agreed a strengthened package of assistance for Ukraine and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg underlined that the Alliance would support Ukraine for the long-term, NATO official website reports. The Secretary General said the military operations in Ukraine are entering a critical phase: “In the coming months our unity and solidarity will be tested. With pressure on energy supplies and the soaring cost of living caused by Russia’s war. But the price we pay is measured in money. While the price the Ukrainians are paying is measured in lives. Lost lives, every day. And all of us will pay a much higher price if Russia and other authoritarian regimes see that their aggression is rewarded. If Russia stops fighting, there will be peace. If Ukraine stops fighting, it will cease to exist as an independent nation. So we must stay the course, for Ukraine’s sake and for ours”, Stoltenberg said.