Stoltenberg invites Zelensky to NATO summit in Washington

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed the invitation to President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the anniversary summit of the Alliance in Washington on July 9-11.

The head of the Alliance announced this today in Kyiv during a joint press conference with the President of Ukraine, reports an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Today, we discussed the preparations for the NATO Summit in July. So Mister President, I look forward to welcoming you to Washington for that meeting," said Jens Stoltenbreg.

He noted that the Allies had already agreed to plan for a greater NATO role in coordinating security assistance and training for Ukraine, adding he believes NATO also needs a major, multi-year financial commitment to sustain support for Ukraine and to demonstrate that it is not short term and ad hoc, but long term and predictable.

“Moscow must understand: they cannot win. And they cannot wait us out. Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. Ukraine will become a member of NATO. The work we are undertaking now puts you on an irreversible path towards NATO membership. So that when the time is right, Ukraine can become a NATO member straightaway,” Stoltenberg stressed, expressing hope that one day, the flag of Ukraine will fly at the NATO Headquarters.

Photo: facebook.com/zelenskyy.official