Briefly

RUSSIA

Wagner says conflict could drag on for years

The founder of the Wagner paramilitary group has predicted that the Russia-Ukraine conflict could drag on for years. In a video interview released late on Friday, Yevgeny Prigozhin said it could take 18 months to two years for Russia to fully secure control of Donbas. He added that the conflict could go on for three years if Moscow decides to capture broader territories east of the Dnieper River. The Kremlin previously said the "special military operation" will continue until its goals are fulfilled.

BELGIUM

Stoltenberg plans to leave office in October

Long-serving NATO leader Jens Stoltenberg has no plans to extend his mandate for a fourth time and expects to be replaced in October, the military alliance said on Sunday. The 63-year-old former Norwegian prime minister took office at NATO's Brussels headquarters on Oct 1,2014. Diplomats from several NATO allies had speculated that Stoltenberg's mandate could be extended again.

ISRAEL

Thousands protest over justice reform

Tens of thousands of Israelis rallied in central Tel Aviv on Saturday for a sixth straight week against controversial legal reforms being pushed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government. Netanyahu returned to power following elections in November, at the head of a coalition with far-right and ultraorthodox parties. The proposed judicial reforms would allow Israel's parliament to overrule any Supreme Court decision with a simple majority of 61 lawmakers in the 120-seat body, as well as boost political control over the system through which judges are appointed.

Agencies - Xinhua