Stoltenberg in Kiev: "Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO"

For the first time since the war in Ukraine began, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has travelled to Kiev. As other international leaders have done in the past, Stoltenberg arrived in the Ukrainian capital by surprise, without announcing the trip in advance for security reasons. 

The Norwegian politician's visit began with a wreath laying in honour of Ukrainian soldiers who have died in the 14-month Russian invasion. After paying tribute to the dead servicemen, Stoltenberg met with Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, who recently visited Ukrainian troops in Donetsk. 

"Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO," Stoltenberg stressed during a joint press conference with Zelensky after their meeting. The NATO Secretary General said that, over time, the support of member states "will help make this possible". 

In this regard, Stoltenberg mentioned an initiative that will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and values, reflecting "the Alliance's long-term commitment to Ukraine".

Ukraine's NATO membership represents a red line for Moscow. Indeed, at a recent press conference, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted that one of Moscow's aims with the invasion - described by Russia as a "special military operation" - was to prevent Ukraine from joining the Alliance. "Otherwise, it will represent a serious and significant danger to our country's security," Peskov said, according to Reuters. 

Since Russian troops crossed the border into Ukraine in February 2022, beginning the brutal invasion that continues today, NATO has shown its full support for Ukraine. NATO members have sent weapons to the Ukrainian armed forces, as well as humanitarian supplies and even trained Ukrainian soldiers. Regarding NATO assistance, Stoltenberg recalled that NATO members have sent "more than 15 billion euros" in aid to Ukraine. 

According to the Norwegian, the delivery of military equipment such as battle tanks "is making a real difference on the battlefield today". Stoltenberg's visit coincides with the announcement by the Netherlands and Denmark to send a military package to Kiev including 14 Leopard 2s. Other countries such as Germany, Spain, Poland, Finland and Portugal have pledged or already supplied such German-made tanks. For its part, the US has announced a new $325 million aid package including ammunition, advanced missiles and anti-tank mines. 

This new aid will undoubtedly be key and useful for the counter-offensive that Kiev is preparing. In fact, according to Ukrainian Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Malyar, the Armed Forces are already carrying out "some counter-offensive actions". In response, Russian forces are concentrating on the Lyman, Bakhmut, Avdiivka and Marinka directions.

Both Kiev and Brussels are aware that this war may drag on for much longer, as no withdrawal is in sight from Russia. For this reason, Stoltenberg has called on Ukraine to "continue to strengthen the Ukrainian Armed Forces" and to ensure "solid and powerful agreements that favour the security" of the country. "We do not know when this war will end, but we know that Russian aggression is a toxic pattern that must stop," he said.

Stoltenberg praised Ukraine's efforts to rebuild liberated regions and the country's resilience. "Your determination to fight the aggressor, liberate your land and work for a better future tells me very clearly that Ukraine will prevail," he said.