Duda: Ukraine's membership will strengthen NATO's military strength

Polish President Andrzej Duda said this at a joint press conference with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda in Klaipeda, Lithuania, on Friday, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

He expressed hope that during the NATO summit in Vilnius, a decision will be made about further support for Ukraine, which opposes Russian aggression.

"And also regarding the first steps, [it is important] that Ukraine joins NATO soon, hopefully as quickly as possible, becoming a full member with all the rights, guarantees, as well as obligations that arise from membership in the alliance," Duda said.

He noted that the Ukrainian army, which will become a military part of NATO, "will undoubtedly strengthen the alliance from a military point of view."

The NATO summit will be held on July 11-12.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said earlier on Friday that the upcoming NATO summit in Vilnius would help strengthen political relations between NATO and Ukraine and reaffirm Allies' support for Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression.