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"The counter offensive, it is difficult," said Admiral Rob
Bauer, a Dutch military officer who is the chair of NATO's
military committee.
"People should never think that this is an easy walkover. It
will never be," he told reporters at NATO headquarters in
Brussels.
Ukrainian forces face defensive obstacles sometimes up to 30
kilometres deep as they attempt to break through Russian lines,
Bauer said, drawing on a historic comparison to make his point.
"We saw in Normandy in the Second World War that it took seven,
eight, nine weeks for the allies to actually break through the
defensive lines of the Germans. And so, it is not a surprise
that it is not going fast," he added.
Satellite images reviewed by Reuters in April showed Russia had
built extensive fortifications, trenches, anti-vehicle barriers
and other obstacles to slow any Ukrainian advance.
Bauer's comments echoed remarks by General Mark Milley, the top
U.S. military officer, who said on Friday the counter-offensive
would be very difficult, very long and "very, very bloody".
Bauer said Ukrainian forces were right to be cautious to avoid
high casualties as they probed for possible breakthroughs.
"It is extremely difficult, this type of operation and I think
the way they do it is commendable," he said.
He said Ukrainian forces should not face pressure or criticism
for not moving more quickly.
"This is a very, very difficult time for them," Bauer said.
(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Frank Jack Daniel)
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