Ukraine now closer to NATO than ever before - Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this at a joint press conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Vilnius on Wednesday, July 12, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. And we will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met. This is a strong, united message from Allies on your path to NATO membership," he said.

Stoltenberg noted that when Russian President Vladimir Putin invaded Ukraine, he "underestimated the bravery of the Ukrainian people, the courage of the Ukrainian forces, and the determination of the Ukrainian political leadership."

"NATO will continue to stand with you for as long as it takes. NATO Allies have provided tens of billions of dollars in support over the past year. And now we have agreed a three-part package bringing Ukraine closer to NATO. A multi-year program of practical assistance establishing a new NATO-Ukraine council, and the reaffirming that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and removing the requirement for the Membership Action Plan," he said.

According to him, the decisions adopted in Vilnius "mark the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine."

"Today we meet as equals, I look forward to the day we meet as Allies," Stoltenberg said.

In addition, according to him, Russia will not determine who can or cannot join the Alliance, and this decision will be made only by the allies themselves.