Zelenskyy, NATO chief Stoltenberg plot Ukraine’s path to NATO in Kyiv
Jens Stoltenberg and Volodymyr Zelenskyy (Photo:Office of the President of Ukraine)
In his first visit to Ukraine since the beginning of Russia’s full-scale war on Ukraine, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv on April 20, the presidential press service announced.
“We interpret this visit of Jens Stoltenberg – the first during the full-scale war – as a sign that the [NATO] Alliance is ready to start a new chapter in relations with Ukraine, a chapter of ambitious decisions,” Zelenskyy said.
The Ukrainian president discussed four key issues with Stoltenberg:
- the Ramstein format meeting of Ukrainian partners scheduled for April 21
- encouraging allies to supply certain types of weapons
- preparation for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July
- security guarantees for Ukraine on the path to the Alliance.
Zelenskyy noted that there is “not a single objective barrier” that would prevent the adoption of political decisions to invite Ukraine to NATO.
“Security guarantees in no way replace or delay Ukraine’s membership in NATO,” he said.
“Security is already required as long as the implementation of solutions continues. And, as history has proven, this is necessary not only for our state, but also for everyone in Europe, for the entire free world.”
Stoltenberg assured that the Alliance would continue to help the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
He also discussed a long-term support initiative that would help Ukraine switch from Soviet-era equipment and doctrine to NATO standards.
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