Stoltenberg urges Russia to “immediately” leave Ukraine as world marks 77th anniversary of victory over Nazis

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end hostilities in Ukraine and “immediately” withdraw its troops from the country. 

Stoltenberg’s adress has come on the 77th anniversary of victory over Nazi Germany which is marked on May 9 annually.

“I call on President Putin once again on May 9 to immediately end the war, withdraw his troops from Ukraine and start peace talks.We stand by Ukraine and will continue to assist the country in its defense,” Stoltenberg told the German edition of Welt.

Stoltenberg also said that Putin had always used this day in the past to spread lies about the West and to criticize NATO. 

That is why he suggested he expected to hear the same “lies about NATO and the West as a whole” again. 

Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24. 

The Kremlin has been unable to defeat the country so far while expected to “celebrate victory in the special operation on the day.”