Ukraine’s “rightful place” is in NATO, the trans-Atlantic alliance’s chief said Thursday, using a high-stakes visit to Kyiv to pledge that the bloc will one day welcome the country into the fold.
The comments from NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg sparked an immediate backlash in Moscow, where Russian officials said they’ll use their war in Ukraine as a way to block their rival from joining the alliance.
Mr. Stoltenberg said he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed a NATO support program that would help Ukraine move past Soviet-era weaponry.“This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance,” Mr. Stoltenberg said. “NATO stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”
“Just as Russian aggression caused global negative, very painful consequences, the Ukrainian victory should bring the world new security standards, new experience of joint action and economic potential, new opportunities to build and defend — together,” he said. “Of course, because otherwise this will pose a serious, significant threat for our country’s security,” Mr. Peskov told reporters.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NATO chief visits Kyiv for 1st time since Russian invasionNATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ukraine for the first time since last year’s invasion by Russia, an alliance official says. An alliance official, who asked not to be identified in line with NATO procedures, confirmed that Stoltenberg was in Ukraine. The secretary general of the military alliance had been in Kyiv before the war but Thursday is his first visit during the hostilities and underscores the longstanding commitments of the alliance in defense of Ukraine’s independence.
Read more »
NATO chief visits Kyiv for 1st time since Russian invasionNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ukraine for the first time since last year’s invasion by Russia, an alliance official said Thursday.
Read more »
Why is the Biden administration helping Trafigura make money for a Kremlin kingpin?'The US government is enabling a major commodity trader to funnel money back to Vladimir Putin's inner circle. This undermines US sanctions against Russia imposed over the war in Ukraine.' -TomRtweets
Read more »
Kremlin critic Yashin defiant after losing appeal against long jail termRussian opposition activist Ilya Yashin on Wednesday predicted he would one day help build a 'new and free Russia' after losing his appeal against an eight-and-a-half year prison sentence on a charge of spreading false information about the army.
Read more »
NATO chief visits Ukraine for 1st time since Russia invadedNATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ukraine for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than a year ago, an alliance official said Thursday.
Read more »