NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg warmly welcomed the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy to the Vilnius Summit on July 12. The meeting served as a prelude to the historic inaugural session of the NATO-Ukraine Council, a significant step in Ukraine's journey towards closer ties with the NATO alliance.
In his address, Secretary General Stoltenberg lauded president Zelenskyy, the Ukrainian people, the armed forces, and the political leadership for their unwavering courage and determination in the face of Russia's aggression. He assured Ukraine of NATO's steadfast support.
"NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes," Stoltenberg stated.
The establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council is part of a comprehensive three-part support package aimed at bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. Acting as a forum for equal participation, crisis consultations, and joint decision-making, the Council will foster closer cooperation between Ukraine and NATO Allies.
The package also includes a multi-year program to assist the Ukrainian armed forces in transitioning from Soviet-era equipment and standards to NATO's modern systems, ensuring full interoperability with Allied forces.
Furthermore, NATO Allies reaffirmed their commitment to Ukraine's eventual membership in the alliance. They agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan, streamlining Ukraine's path to NATO membership into a one-step process.
"We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met," Secretary General Stoltenberg emphasized.
This united message from the Allies signifies strong support for Ukraine's NATO aspirations.
Addressing the importance of Ukraine's long-term security, Mr. Stoltenberg stressed the need for credible arrangements to be in place after the war concludes. He welcomed the plan of many Allies to provide long-term security assurances to Ukraine, which will serve as a deterrent against future aggression from Russia.
"The decisions made here in Vilnius mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine. Today, we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as Allies," Secretary General Stoltenberg concluded, expressing his optimism for the future partnership between NATO and Ukraine.
As the NATO-Ukraine Council convenes for the first time, this milestone event solidifies Ukraine's progress towards integration with NATO and underscores the alliance's unwavering commitment to Ukraine's security and stability in the face of ongoing challenges.
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