Kiev/Brussels, 9 September 2022 (dpa/MIA) - Russia's war on Ukraine is entering a "critical phase" thanks to Kiev's counter-offensive, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. "Ukrainian forces have been able to stall Moscow’s offensive in the Donbas, strike back behind Russian lines and retake territory," he said during a press conference with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday. "Just in the last few days, we have seen further progress both in the south in Kherson and in the east in the Kharkiv region." He said this shows the "bravery, skills and determination of the Ukrainian forces. And it shows that our support is making a difference every day on the battlefield." The West's solidarity must not waver now, he said, despite the energy crisis and the rising cost of living. "But the price we pay is measured in money while the price the Ukrainians are paying is measured in lives," Stoltenberg said. "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, he said, "for Ukraine’s sake and for ours."