Ukraine's membership in NATO - allies to express unified position, Stoltenberg
Photo: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
Allies will be able to reach a unified position on Ukraine's NATO membership at the Alliance summit in Vilnius, according to NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during his press conference.
"The most important thing is to ensure Ukraine's victory. The more territory Ukraine can liberate, the stronger position at the negotiating table to decide to end the war," he said.
It is crucial that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin cannot withdraw troops, train fighters, and attack Ukraine again.
The NATO Secretary-General emphasized that Ukraine should get what it needs to guarantee that Russia will not attack again. According to Stoltenberg, this is what the allies are discussing.
"I am confident there will be a unified position among the allies on Ukraine's NATO membership. Many allies have repeatedly stated that they have bilateral discussions with Ukraine on security issues. I welcome that. All of this complements the work conducted by NATO. Sovereign countries make decisions. Russia does not have a veto right," he added.
NATO summit in Vilnius
At the Alliance summit scheduled for July 11-12 in Lithuania, Ukraine aims to receive a signal of support for its NATO membership after the war's end. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes the country has all the grounds for it.
Furthermore, Ukraine seeks security guarantees from NATO member countries.
Zelensky has stated that Ukraine needs explicit security guarantees from the West that will be documented. The country wants guarantees for the period until it becomes a full member of the Alliance.
