Russia will not decide when Ukraine can join NATO - Norwegian MFA

Norwegian Minister for Foreign Affairs Anniken Huitfeldt said this on the eve of a two-day meeting with her NATO counterparts, Ukrinform reports with reference to Reuters.

"It is for Ukraine and NATO allies to decide when Ukraine becomes a NATO member, it's not up to Moscow to decide," Huitfeldt said.

The minister also stressed that Sweden should become a full member before the upcoming NATO summit that is to take place in Vilnius on July 11-12.

"There is absolutely no reason for holding Sweden back," she said. "Sweden fulfills all the criteria."

As Ukrinform reported, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated on May 24 that Ukraine will not be able to join NATO while the war is going on.