BRUSSELS

The NATO chief on Friday said Russia is sustaining "staggering losses" in its war on Ukraine, urging against narratives portraying Moscow as a "mighty bear."

Speaking at a joint press conference with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, and Bavarian Minister-President Markus Soder at the Munich Security Forum, Secretary General Mark Rutte said there was broad agreement among NATO defense ministers to continue and increase support for Ukraine.

"Russians are ripping up staggering losses day in, day out. 35,000 dead in December. 30,000 deaths in January,” he said.

"They want (us) to perceive the Russians as a mighty bear, but you could argue that they are moving through Ukraine at the stilted speed of a garden snail. And let's not forget it. Let's not fall (for) the trap of the Russian propaganda."

His remarks came after a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, where he said allies expressed widespread support for maintaining and increasing assistance to Kyiv.

He underlined that closer cooperation between NATO and the European Union has strengthened collective efforts, particularly in support of Ukraine.

"I think the cooperation between NATO and the EU probably has never been as strong as it is today," he said.

Referring to Thursday’s meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Rutte said he sensed "a shift in mindset" within the alliance, particularly in Europe.

"We had years, decades of complaints by the US about the fact that in Europe we were not spending enough on defense. That has changed with the summit in The Hague," Rutte said.

According to Rutte, European allies are now stepping up, taking more responsibility for their own security and assuming a greater leadership role within NATO.

"This is really a staggering change, and this will make NATO strong, because it means that a strong Europe and a strong NATO means that the transatlantic bond will be stronger than ever," he stressed.