"We just have to stay the course. This is also about our security interests," Stoltenberg said during a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Brussels.
While acknowledging Ukraine's recent counter-offensive's limited territorial gains, Stoltenberg highlighted the significance of smaller victories, like pushing Russian forces back along the Dnipro River's eastern bank.
"Wars develop in phases. We have to support Ukraine in both good and bad times. We should also be prepared for bad news," Stoltenberg told the German broadcaster ARD.
He urged NATO allies to sustain their support, asserting that increased assistance would expedite the conflict's resolution.
Stoltenberg's remarks coincide with the White House's warning that funding for supplying weapons to Ukraine may be depleted by year-end without congressional action.
The Biden administration's proposed $106 billion national security supplemental funding includes provisions for Ukraine; Israel's conflict with Hamas; and investments in the Indo-Pacific, humanitarian aid and border security.
U.S. has sent over $40B in security aid to Ukraine since February 2022
The U.S. has poured more than $40 billion in security aid to Ukraine since the start of Russia's special military operations there in February 2022, and pledged more support for as long as necessary.
However, some $61 billion in proposed aid to Ukraine has yet to be acted upon by the US Congress, while another $50-billion package from the European Union is struggling to pass due to opposition from Hungary.
"We have exhausted funds to aid Ukraine in this conflict. This is not an issue for next year," stated Office of Management and Budget Director Shalanda Young in a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). "The moment to assist a democratic Ukraine in combating Russian aggression is immediate. Congress must take action now." (Related: Ukraine must brace for loss of US support – ex-ambassador.)
Reporting from Brussels, Al Jazeera’s Step Vaessen said the delays show indications of “fatigue” from some NATO members 21 months into the war.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken assured his nation’s commitment to help Ukraine, saying the two-day summit was aimed at "strongly reaffirming our support for Ukraine as it continues to face Russia's war of aggression."
"I'm confident that the United States will continue to provide support because it is in the security interest of the U.S. to do so and it’s also in line with what we have agreed," he said.
The situation adds complexity as Senate Republicans contemplate tying support for Kyiv with border security changes, while the House faces challenges in advancing additional aid for Ukraine.
Ukrainian officials, including Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, have expressed concerns about a potential stalemate, suggesting that significant technological breakthroughs might be necessary to alter the war's dynamics.
"Even though the frontline has not moved so much, the Ukrainians have been able to inflict heavy losses on the Russian forces," said Zaluzhny.
More than half a million troops from Russia and Ukraine are estimated to have died or been wounded since Moscow sent troops across its neighbor's border last year.
According to the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine, at least 10,000 civilians have also been killed in the conflict.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytri Kuleba is set to lobby for continued NATO backing during the summit. He will also work with NATO ministers to outline a plan for reforms designed to help Ukraine gain eventual membership in the alliance. Russia has repeatedly warned Ukraine against joining NATO.
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