The President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy met with the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv.
They discussed ways of countering Russian aggression, further cooperation between Ukraine and NATO, and true unification of forces.
The Head of State noted that the Russian army is now trying to take advantage of the situation while Ukraine is waiting for deliveries from its partners, primarily the United States.
“Therefore, rapid delivery literally means stabilization of the front line. 155-caliber artillery, long-range weapons, and air defense systems, first and foremost the Patriot systems. This is what our partners have, and this is what should now be working here in Ukraine to destroy the terrorist ambitions of Russia. The Russian army is preparing for further offensive action. And together with the allies, we must stop the Russian offensive,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy said at a joint press conference with Jens Stoltenberg.
The preparations for the NATO Summit, which will take place in Washington in July, were also discussed at the meeting.
"It could become a moment of strength for the Alliance, or it could not. This is where it will be decided whether an enemy of the Alliance will be able to veto the strengthening of NATO. And that decision will relate to the case of Ukraine. Ukraine deserves to be invited to join NATO. We deserve it because of our strength, our defense of common values, and our importance for the future of the entire Euro-Atlantic community," the President emphasized.
He thanked all the leaders, the vast majority of NATO countries, who support our future membership in the Alliance.
Jens Stoltenberg, for his part, noted that the NATO member states are increasing their own defense production and working on joint production with Ukraine.
“Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The work we are undertaking now puts you on an irreversible path towards NATO membership. When the time is right, Ukraine can become a NATO member straight away. I very much look forward to the day that the Ukrainian flag will fly high at the NATO headquarters,” the Alliance's Secretary General assured.
This is Jens Stoltenberg's third visit to Ukraine since the beginning of the Russian full-scale invasion. Previously, the NATO Secretary General visited our country last April and September.