NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit. This visit by the Secretary General of NATO is the third since the beginning of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine. Before this, Stoltenberg arrived in Kyiv on April 20 and September 28, 2023. “The situation is difficult, but it is not too late for Ukraine to win – and support is on the way. NATO is also taking a step forward in long time, putting Ukraine on an irreversible path to the Alliance,” said the Secretary General of the alliance. True, he did not promise Ukraine’s membership in NATO.
Sorry
Stoltenberg recalled that the United States could not agree on an aid package to Ukraine for several months, and European partners did not deliver shells in the promised quantity, which is why Ukraine experienced shortage of weapons for several months and forced to conserve ammunition.
“Few Russian missiles and drones were shot down, and Russia was able to advance to the front line. But it’s not too late for Ukraine to win. More help is coming,” Stoltenberg said.
President Vladimir Zelensky, in a briefing with Stoltenberg, emphasized that the efficiency of partners in the matter of supplies means stabilizing the front. He warned that the Russian army is preparing for an additional offensive, and that Ukraine, along with its partners, must prevent this offensive.
“…Prompt delivery literally means stabilizing the frontline. 155-caliber artillery, long-range weapons and air defense, mainly Patriot systems. This is what our partners have, and what they should who are now working here in Ukraine to destroy Russian terrorist ambitions,” he said.
Not invited to NATO
Stoltenberg also addressed the Verkhovna Rada. Maryana Bezuglaya, known for her harsh statements, a representative of the presidential Servant of the People, described the visit of the NATO Secretary General in this way: “The speech was about general things, nothing new. He clarified that there will be no invitation to the next NATO summit (in Washington this summer). Of course, he said that Ukraine will become a member of NATO. Another day”.
The Secretary General of NATO invited Vladimir Zelensky to the summit of the alliance, which will take place in Washington in July. At the same time, he expressed doubt that at this summit Kyiv will receive an official invitation to join the alliance.
“To make this decision, we need the consent of all allies, we need a consensus, not a majority, that is, we need the consent of all 32 members. And I do not expect that we will have such an agreement before the summit in July. But I believe we can show that we are bringing Ukraine closer to membership and we want the day when Ukraine joins us as a full member as soon as possible,” Stoltenberg said.
“When the right moment comes, Ukraine can become a member of NATO right away. I look forward to the day when the Ukrainian flag flies over the NATO headquarters,” he assured.
Vladimir Zelensky submitted an application for the country to join NATO on an accelerated basis on September 30, 2022. Kyiv’s intention was dictated by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. At the NATO summit held in Vilnius in July 2023, the members of the alliance did not officially invite Ukraine, but agreed to simplify the process of the country’s entry into the military-political bloc.
A Patriotic mood?
The issue of transferring American Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine is currently a priority for NATO, Stoltenberg said.
“Our priority is the transfer of the Patriot,” he said in a briefing with President Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv.
The Secretary General of NATO emphasized that Ukraine needs not only the Patriot, but also other systems, for example, NASAMS. “A layered air defense system is necessary,” Stoltenberg said.
President Zelensky, for his part, said that he had received assurances from Western partners that there would be no delays in the process of delivering missiles for the Patriot systems.
Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.