Rutte: Russia lost 65 soldiers in two months

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Russia has suffered heavy losses in recent months, stressing that Moscow "is not winning this war."

According to Rutte, Russian forces have lost around 65 soldiers during December and January alone.

He added that territorial advances in the Donetsk region and other areas are minimal and almost insignificant compared to the high human cost.

"If there is a dictator in Moscow willing to do this, then we are dealing with someone who is willing to sacrifice so many of his people in this war. We have to take this seriously, because this is crazy behavior," he said.

Rutte also criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to send a historian as a representative again to the upcoming talks in Geneva, saying he is expected to "lecture Ukrainians about Sweden or whatever," instead of focusing on concrete progress towards resolving the conflict.

The NATO chief's statements come at a time when fighting in eastern Ukraine remains intense, while the Western alliance continues to emphasize support for Kiev and the need for increased pressure on Moscow.