2023-04-20 16:32:00
Ukraine “occupies its rightful place in NATO”, says the head of the alliance
Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speaks during a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, April 20, 2023. (Photo: AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Ukraine has “its rightful place in NATO” during his first visit to the country since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022.
Stoltenberg said he discussed a “multi-year support initiative” with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky that would help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to “NATO standards.”
This would “ensure full interoperability with the alliance,” Stoltenberg added.
NATO has been a key ally of Ukraine since Russia launched its invasion in February 2022, distributing military aid and bolstering Kyiv’s defenses against relentless attacks from Moscow.
The NATO chief said Thursday that since last February, the alliance’s allies have “delivered more than 150 billion euros ($164 billion) of support, including 65 billion euros ($71 billion) of military aid”.
“The allies are now delivering more jets, tanks and armored vehicles,” Stoltenberg added. “NATO is with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”
Zelensky echoed Stoltenberg’s calls to reaffirm ties between Ukraine and NATO, saying his visit is a sign that the alliance is ready to start a new chapter with Kyiv.
“Ukraine that stands strong and sees its future as full liberation and liberating our land from the Russian occupier,” he said Thursday.
“This visit by the Secretary General is the first since the beginning of the all-out war. We consider it a sign that the alliance is ready to start a new chapter in its relations with Ukraine and make new decisions.”
Zelensky added that there is “no objective barrier” to political decisions on inviting Ukraine to join the NATO alliance, after Finland’s accession revived Kyiv’s calls to join.
“Now that the majority of the NATO populations and the majority in Ukraine support our entry into their alliance.”
“It is impossible to imagine security in the North Atlantic space without it.”
Zelensky went on to say that Ukraine wants to know when “it will be in NATO.”
“We need something more than the kind of relationship we have now,” Zelensky said. “We will be in their alliance, we believe that it is a guarantee of the security of Ukraine and a concrete guarantee.”
“But while we wait for accession and we are not a member, we want to have very concrete security guarantees approved in Vilnius if there is an opportunity to do so then we will be ready on our end.”
CNN’s Victoria Butenko and Zahid Mahmood contributed to this article.
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