Europe and NATO Security Unimaginable Without Ukraine's Involvement: Alliance Secretary General Stoltenberg in Kyiv
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg paid his third working visit to Ukraine today and met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
After the talks, Zelenskyy said at a press conference that Ukraine will be in NATO because "it is no longer possible to imagine the security of Europe and the Euro-Atlantic community without Ukraine's effective participation and guarantee of such security".
"In general, today we can note that Ukraine and the Alliance have reached the highest level of relations since our independence, but not the highest possible," the president stressed.
"It is Ukraine, our people, our potential that Russia seeks to make its springboard for further destabilisation of the European and Euro-Atlantic space. That is why the defence of Ukraine is the answer to the question of reliable and long-term common security," Zelenskyy said.
In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine can gain an advantage on the battlefield, and its allies in the North Atlantic Alliance are increasing support and defence production.
"I know that serious delays in aid meant serious consequences on the battlefield. The US could not agree on an aid package for months, and European partners were unable to provide weapons at the level promised. For months, Russia had the advantage in weapons, and Ukraine was forced to ration its ammunition. This meant that fewer Russian missiles and drones were shot down and Russia was able to advance on the frontline. But it is not too late for Ukraine to gain an advantage. More help is on the way," Stoltenberg said.
He added that Allies heard President Zelenskyy's call at the NATO-Ukraine Council and agreed to increase support. As examples, he mentioned the approval of a new aid package in the United States, the announcement of the largest package from the United Kingdom, the transfer of an additional air defence system from Germany and the increase in the Netherlands' contribution to Ukraine.
The NATO Secretary General expects new announcements of assistance to Ukraine from the Allies in the near future. He stressed that Allies should help Ukraine even if their stockpiles are not sufficient in accordance with NATO standards.