“The allies agreed that Ukraine would join NATO. Ukraine is closer to the Alliance than ever,” NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the press conference concluding the two-day meeting of the Foreign Ministers of the Alliance countries in Brussels.
He added that allies are currently making recommendations for reforms in Ukraine, including reforms related to the fight against corruption, strengthening the rule of law and supporting human and minority rights.
We will continue to support Ukraine on its path to NATO membership. We will continue to support Ukarana in her fight for freedom
– Stoltenberg emphasized.
He also noted that NATO allies continue to strengthen Ukrainian air defenses, which will protect Ukrainian armed forces and cities and save the lives of Ukrainians.
NATO-Ukraine
He said the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, with the participation of Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, was productive.
This is the first time we are meeting in this form, for the first time we are participating in a meeting of foreign ministers as part of the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting. Today we approved an ambitious work program for next year. It covers energy security, innovation and interoperability
– announced the Secretary General.
Last year, Ukraine won the battles of Kiev, Kharkov and Kherson. The country continues to inflict heavy losses on Russia this year. Ukraine recovered 50 percent. area originally occupied by Russia. In the Black Sea, the Ukrainians have pushed back the Russian fleet and established grain export routes, strengthening global food security. Most importantly, Ukraine won as a sovereign, independent and democratic nation. This is a great achievement – a great victory
– Stoltenberg emphasized
According to the head of NATO, Russia is currently weaker politically, militarily and economically than before the invasion of its neighbor.
From a political point of view, Russia is losing influence in its so-called close abroad. Not only in Ukraine, but also in the Caucasus and Central Asia. Russia is also becoming much more dependent on China. Every year Moscow ties its future (more and more strongly) with Beijing. Militarily, Russia has lost a significant part of its conventional forces. Hundreds of planes, thousands of tanks and more than 300,000 soldiers
– noted the head of NATO.
Russia under pressure
He added that Russia is also under economic pressure.
Oil and gas revenues are declining. Assets of Russian banks are subject to sanctions. More than a thousand foreign companies have suspended or limited their activities in this country, and 1.3 million people left Russia last year. All this proves that the invasion of Ukraine was a strategic mistake by Putin. At the same time, we cannot ignore Russia. (…) Putin has a high tolerance for victims, and the Kremlin’s objectives in Ukraine have not changed. Russia has amassed a large stockpile of missiles before winter. We are also seeing new attempts to attack Ukraine’s energy network and infrastructure
– warned the Secretary General.
He added that NATO’s comprehensive aid package for Kiev is currently being converted into a multi-year program.
We are helping Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and standards to NATO standards and making their armed forces fully interoperable with ours.
said Stoltenberg.
READ MORE: Stoltenberg: Allies reaffirmed their determination to support Ukraine on its path to NATO and unwavering support for Kiev
edy/PAP
Source: wPolityce
Emma Matthew is a political analyst for “Social Bites”. With a keen understanding of the inner workings of government and a passion for politics, she provides insightful and informative coverage of the latest political developments.