Stoltenberg wants to invite Ukraine to NATO 'at certain stage'

Answering a question about a possible confrontation between Russia and NATO if Ukraine's membership in the Alliance is advanced, Stoltenberg called it a "good cause" for the Alliance and for the United States to support Ukraine.

The Secretary General reminded that from the very beginning NATO was created to prevent wars.

"I am from Norway, which borders Russia. When Norway became a NATO member state, the Soviet Union called it a provocation. It was not a provocation, it was a right of any sovereign nation to choose its own way. Norway has its right, as do Sweden, Finland, and Ukraine.," Stoltenberg said.

He emphasized that it is very important that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin does not achieve what he wants in Ukraine because it will encourage other authoritarian regimes.

"So this is a good cause for us and for the U.S. to support Ukraine and invite it to become a full member of the Alliance at a certain stage," the NATO Secretary General said.

Ukraine-NATO

In early January, the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council was held in a military format at the level of military commanders-in-chief.

The format of the NATO-Ukraine Council was established by the decision of the summit in Vilnius in the summer of 2023 as one of the steps towards our country's accession to the North Atlantic Alliance.

During the Council meetings, mutual consultations and decision-making took place.