Stoltenberg: NATO Article 5 will be best guarantee of security for Ukraine

This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg today in Washington during a speech at a forum on the sidelines of the NATO summit, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We have seen the pattern where they taken slices of Ukraine. So if there is now a new cease fire, a new agreement, then we need to be 100% certain it stops there regardless where that line is. And therefore, I strongly believe that when the fighting stops, we need to ensure that Ukraine has the capability to deter further aggression from Russia and they need security guarantees. Of course, the best and strongest security guarantees will be Article 5. So therefore I am believe  that a way to ensure that it stops is actually a NATO membership," Stoltenberg said.

He noted that among all the issues on the agenda of the Washington summit, the most urgent and critical issue will be assistance to Ukraine.

The Alliance Secretary General said that now is really the time when we are being tested. If we want to stand up for freedom and democracy, this time has come. And the place is Ukraine.

He confirmed that NATO leaders will consider a new broad package of assistance for Ukraine, which will include, among other things, the establishment of a separate NATO command in Germany to handle security assistance for Ukraine, long-term financial contributions, and the supply of weapons and ammunition to Ukraine.

The NATO chief added that all of this should send a strong message to President Putin that he will not be able to wait us out. The paradox is that the more we are committed to long-term support for Ukraine, the sooner this war can end. And that is exactly what we have to do.

He noted that the language of the final declaration of the summit, which will concern Ukraine's membership in NATO, is important. But no less important are the practical actions of the Alliance and its Allies, which consistently, step by step, bring Ukraine closer to full membership in NATO.

Stoltenberg said that the institutionalisation of our support, long-term financial commitments, and the delivery of more weapons systems to Ukraine are all helping Ukraine to get closer to NATO. This changes the reality, because when we deliver F-16s, it means that we are not only delivering F-16s, but also training, doctrine, and operational concepts - all of this is moving Ukraine towards full interoperability with NATO. The elements of this package bring Ukraine closer to membership. When the timing is right, when we have a consensus and a political decision is made, then an invitation to membership will be extended.

As reported, the 75th anniversary NATO summit is taking place in Washington on 9-11 July, with one of the main issues being the increase of military assistance to Ukraine.