Stoltenberg visits Kyiv: Key statements and Ukraine's NATO membership
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Photo: RBC-Ukraine, Vitalii Nosach)
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv today, April 29. His trip was not previously announced.
More details about Stoltenberg's visit and his key statements are in the material from RBC-Ukraine below.
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Stoltenberg met with Zelenskyy and held a press conference
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has already met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
According to the head of the Ukrainian state, during the negotiations, the idea of a NATO fund for Ukraine of 100 billion euros, which the Secretary General proposed, was discussed. The fund is intended to support Ukrainian defense capabilities.
Also, following the meeting, the Secretary General and the President held a joint press conference.
Ukraine's place in NATO
During the press conference, Stoltenberg spoke about Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration.
The Secretary General emphasized, "I believe that Ukraine belongs in NATO, and we will do everything to ensure that Ukraine becomes a member of the Alliance."
He reminded that Ukraine's membership requires the agreement of all 32 NATO member countries. Stoltenberg is unsure if such a result can be achieved at the next NATO summit in Washington, scheduled for July 9-11.
Putin's victory could cost much more
The NATO Secretary General emphasized that it would be "cheaper" for Alliance countries to help Ukraine in the war than to allow Russian occupiers to prevail.
"Of course, ensuring that Ukraine wins will cost money. And in such wars, like the one Ukraine is facing now, there are always risks. But an even greater risk is if Putin (Russian president Vladimir Putin) prevails," he noted.
Stoltenberg clarified that if Russia wins, Western countries will have to invest "much more money" in their own defense.
Zelenskyy's invitation to the NATO Summit
"I look forward to meeting you at the summit in Washington," Stoltenberg said, addressing President Zelenskyy.
Thus, Zelenskyy was invited to the NATO summit in Washington in July.
Stoltenberg in the Parliament
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also visited the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine during his visit to Kyiv, where he addressed the deputies.
According to the MPs, Stoltenberg spoke about the importance of the mobilization law for Ukraine to achieve victory in the war and also emphasized that Ukraine's NATO membership is only a matter of time.
Previous Stoltenberg visit
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has visited Ukraine several times since the start of the full-scale invasion by Russian occupiers.
The latest visit of the Secretary General took place on September 28, 2023. At that time, he and Zelenskyy also discussed Ukraine's NATO membership.
