Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky hailed a go to by NATO secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg to the war-torn nation on Thursday as a “new chapter” in relations with the navy alliance.
“We welcome NATO Secretary Common Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv, in Ukraine, which stands sturdy, free and sees the prospect of the entire liberation of our land from the Russian occupier,” he instructed reporters following negotiations with Stoltenberg within the capital.
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“We interpret this go to… as an indication that the Alliance is able to begin a brand new chapter in relations with Ukraine—a chapter of formidable choices.”
Stoltenberg’s shock go to to Ukraine on Thursday was his first since Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of the nation final February. It comes practically 14 months into the struggle and as Ukraine is anticipated to quickly launch a counteroffensive geared toward recapturing the territories seized by Russian forces all through the battle. Zelensky has been asking his Western allies for extra weapons to help within the struggle in opposition to Russia.
Zelensky and Stoltenberg touched on 4 fundamental points throughout talks on Thursday. These had been the eleventh assembly of the Ukrainian Protection Group on the Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 21, the availability of sure forms of weapons to Ukraine, preparation for a NATO summit in Vilnius in July, and safety ensures for Ukraine whereas the nation isn’t a member of the alliance.
The Ukrainian chief mentioned that whereas he’s grateful for an invite to attend the NATO summit in July, he believes it’s “vital that Ukraine additionally obtain a corresponding invitation.”
“There may be not a single goal barrier that might forestall the adoption of political choices on inviting Ukraine to the Alliance. And proper now, when nearly all of individuals in NATO international locations and nearly all of Ukrainians assist the entry of our state into the Alliance, it’s time for acceptable choices. It’s not attainable to think about the safety of the Euro-Atlantic area with out Ukraine, and folks perceive this,” Zelensky mentioned.
Final September, Ukraine introduced a bid for fast-track membership of NATO after Putin proclaimed to have annexed 4 partially managed Ukrainian areas.
Stoltenberg mentioned Ukraine’s rightful place was in NATO, and that the alliance would stand agency in assist of the nation.
“Mr. President, I’m right here right now with a easy message: NATO stands with Ukraine,” he mentioned. “NATO stands with you right now, tomorrow and for so long as it takes.”
When requested about Stoltenberg’s journey, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed a press briefing that stopping Ukraine from becoming a member of NATO was “unconditionally” one of many targets of his nation’s invasion.
“In any other case there can be a severe, substantial menace to our nation and its safety,” Peskov mentioned.
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