NATO's top military officials visit Kyiv for the first time in 8 years
Photo: NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi (x.com/CMC_NATO)
NATO's Military Committee has arrived in Kyiv for the first time in eight years. Representatives of all 32 member states discussed the situation on the battlefield and further support for Ukraine.
According to Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, the visit to Kyiv fulfilled a promise he made to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Mykhailo Drapatyi. The admiral called the Ukrainian general a good friend.
The Military Committee's visit also continued the North Atlantic Council's visit to Ukraine in June.
"After eight years, the NATO Military Committee comes back to Kyiv for an official visit. While we were not physically present here, Ukraine is in our thoughts, in our discussions, in our decisions and following actions every single day," Dragone said.
What was discussed in Kyiv
During the visit, representatives of all 32 NATO countries met with Mykhailo Drapatyi and Ukrainian military officials.
One of the main topics was the situation on the battlefield. The delegation sought to receive the latest assessment of the course of the war directly from the Ukrainian military leadership.
The Alliance representatives also discussed what additional assistance Ukraine needs and what else NATO can do to support the country.
Dragone voices support for Ukraine
The NATO Military Committee chair also addressed those who, he said, are trying to undermine support for Ukraine through sabotage, cyberattacks, and airspace violations.
"To those who think that by perpetrating an act of sabotage, cyberattack, and violation of the airspace in national NATO territory, they will undermine this support and our resolve. I will respond. You are failing," the admiral said.
He stressed that NATO's support for Ukraine continues to grow, while the unity of the Alliance remains stronger than ever.
Ukraine's Ambassador to NATO Alyona Getmanchuk noted that Kyiv also hosted the first-ever Ukraine-NATO Council meeting at the Military Committee level on Ukrainian territory since the establishment of relations between Ukraine and NATO.
The meeting was chaired by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi and NATO Military Committee Chair Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.
The NATO Military Committee delegation has since left Ukraine and returned to Brussels.
Russia is waging a hybrid war against NATO countries, including efforts to weaken support for Ukraine and test the Alliance's readiness to respond to new threats.
Lithuania has reported on possible preparations by Moscow for false-flag operations in Europe.
Danish intelligence has also warned of a possible increase in Russian hybrid attacks against NATO countries in the coming months. A limited military operation has not been ruled out.
Against this backdrop, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has called on European countries to prepare for a prolonged campaign of Russian hybrid attacks.
