Head of NATO Military Committee arrives in Kyiv first time since February 2022
Rob Bauer, Chairman of the NATO Military Committee (Getty Images)
NATO Military Committee Head, Rob Bauer, has arrived in Ukraine, marking his first visit to Kyiv since the onset of Russia's full-scale invasion, according to Bauer's X.
The NATO military leader addressed the Kyiv Security Forum.
"My visit ─ the first NATO military delegation to visit Ukraine since the large-scale invasion ─ is testament to the fact that NATO and Ukraine are closer than they have ever been," said the admiral.
Bauer also added that his visit allows him to express admiration for the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians, both on and off the battlefield.
Photo: Rob Bauer visited Kyiv (twitter.com/CMC_NATO)
Ukraine's path to NATO
On September 30, 2022, it was announced that Ukraine applied for NATO membership under an expedited process. Ukraine anticipated receiving an invitation during the summer summit in Vilnius, yet it didn't materialize.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg underscores that Ukraine cannot join the Alliance until active combat ceases.
Ukraine received NATO's recommendations for accession following the Ukraine-NATO Council, held in Brussels on November 29. These recommendations pertain to initial reforms required for Alliance membership.
