Stoltenberg to Zelensky: Today we meet as equals, I look forward to the day when we are as allies

The general secretary of the NATO, Jens Stoltenbergtold the Ukrainian president on Wednesday, Volodymyr Zelenskythat today his country and the Alliance meet “as equals” and that he looks forward to the day when it will be “as allies”.

KNOW MORE: The G7 will sign an agreement with Zelensky to give military aid to Ukraine in the long term

“Today we meet as equals. I look forward to the day we meet as allies.”stated Stoltenberg in a press conference with Zelensky prior to the NATO-Ukraine Councila new forum being held for the first time in the context of the allied summit of Vilnius.

stoltenberg stressed that the NATO will continue to support Ukraine as long as necessary and assured that now it is “closer to NATO than ever”after the leaders of the alliance agreed yesterday on a series of measures to bring the country closer to the organization.

“Welcome to NATO”said stoltenberg to Zelenskybefore listing the decisions of the allies on Ukrainesuch as the new multi-year assistance program to renew its military equipment from the soviet era or the removal of the requirement to comply with an action plan for membership.

The new NATO-Ukraine Council It will also allow both parties to be put on an equal footing.

“It is a forum in which Ukraine and the allies of the NATO they will meet as equals, conduct crisis consultations and they will hold joint sessions”explained stoltenbergwho made it clear that either the allies or Ukraine they will be able to convene it and that it will be able to meet at the level of leaders, ministers or military commanders.

“He Advice It is not an instrument of participation, it is an instrument of integration”, he stressed on his side Zelenskywho today expressed his gratitude to the NATO for the support obtained by his country from its Western allies, although he considered that a “formal invitation” to join the alliance would have been “optimum”.

The allies expressed on the first day of the summit that they will issue a “invitation” so that Ukraine enter the NATO when so agreed and “conditions are met” for it.

“This is a strong united message from allies on their way to membership in the NATO”settled stoltenberg.

The Norwegian politician stated that, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine on going, “There is no risk-free option” for the allies, but stressed that the greatest risk is that the president of Russia, Vladimir Putinwin the war.

READ ALSO: Xóchitl Gálvez denounces AMLO for gender political violence

He stressed that Ukraine have the right to choose “his own path” and the security arrangements you want.

He also stated that Russia has opposed “to all extensions of the NATO”but stressed that the decision on the entry of Ukraine in the alliance it is up to its members kyivwhile Moscow you do not have “veto rights” in this regard.

stoltenberg pointed out that it must be ensured that when the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine There are security agreementscredible” in force “so that history does not repeat itself”referring to a new attack by Moscow against the old soviet republic.

Therefore, he welcomed “many allies have committed to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine” and considered that this will help to avoid new attacks after the war and will complement the support provided by the NATO to kyiv.

It is expected that the leaders of the G7 sign a statement pledging to support Ukraine in the long term and that in practice will allow the initiation of bilateral negotiations for the delivery of military aid to kyiv.

According to diplomatic sourcesthat help could take the form of delivery of weapons, training for the Ukrainian armed forces and even the sharing of intelligence information.

“The decisions made here in Vilnius have marked the beginning of a new chapter in the relationship between NATO and Ukraine”, he concluded stoltenberg.

Source: Elcomercio

jack

I am Jack Morton and I work in 24 News Recorder. I mostly cover world news and I have also authored 24 news recorder. I find this work highly interesting and it allows me to keep up with current events happening around the world.