More weapons for Ukraine entails path to peace — NATO Secretary General

He highlighted the importance of NATO Allies' unprecedented levels of support to Ukraine, however, noting that serious delays and gaps in delivering support this winter and spring resulted in dire consequences on the frontline.

"We cannot let this happen again,” he said.

“This is why, at the Summit, I expect Allied leaders to agree for NATO to lead the coordination and provision of security assistance and training for Ukraine.”

“It is also why I have proposed a long-term financial pledge, with fresh funding every year."

Western support credibility will determine how long Russia continues its war against Ukraine.

"The more credible our long-term support is, the quicker Moscow will realise it cannot wait us out and the sooner this war can end,” Stoltenberg added.

“It may seem like a paradox, but the path to peace is therefore more weapons for Ukraine.”

“I strongly welcome the 60-billion-dollar package that the U.S. Congress passed in April, it is significant, and complements other NATO Allies efforts," he said.

Western countries will continue to "bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership" at the NATO summit in July in Washington.

"So that when the time comes, Ukraine can join the Alliance without delay," he said.

The Washington NATO Summit

The NATO summit will be held in Washington, DC on July 9-11, 2024.

Stoltenberg invited Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the event in April but expressed doubts that Ukraine will receive an invitation to join NATO at the summit.

Zelenskyy hopes for two outcomes from the summit: the transfer of new air defense systems and concrete steps toward Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance.

Western partners urged Ukraine not to demand an invitation to NATO at this year's annual summit in Washington, The Telegraph, citing unnamed sources, reported on May 28.