Speaking at a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday, September 28, 2023, Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that time is the only factor standing between Ukraine and its admission into NATO.
This follows after the Ukrainian President met Stoltenberg who arrived in Ukraine on Thursday.
“I am pleased to welcome the NATO Secretary General to Ukraine, and I am glad to have a meaningful conversation with him. Today it is already a conversation between de facto allies and it is only a matter of time before Ukraine becomes a de jure member of the Alliance. We are doing everything to make it happen sooner.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Zelenskyy praised the results of Ukraine’s cooperation with NATO, which has enabled the creation of defense coalitions. He disclosed that he and Stoltenberg discussed “all the key defense issues that require attention.”
They considered the possibility of supplying additional air defense systems by NATO member states.
“The Secretary General has committed to make personal efforts to support us, to rally the Allies behind this very purpose,” Zelenskyy said.
“We need to come through this winter together, protect our energy infrastructure and people’s lives,” he added.
“In the face of such intense attacks against Ukrainians, against our cities, our ports, which are crucial for global food security, we need a corresponding intensity of pressure on Russia and a strengthening of our air defense. The world must see how Russia is losing dearly so that our shared values ultimately prevail.”
Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Additionally, Zelenskyy stated that his country is drawing a new joint document with NATO, “an adapted Annual National Program, which will determine practical steps to ensure Ukraine’s compliance with the principles and standards of the alliance.”
The President of Ukraine and the NATO Secretary General also discussed the NATO Summit to be held next year in Washington.
On his part, Stoltenberg noted that NATO member states will continue to provide Ukraine with the most advanced means to repel Russian invasion, including tanks, modern air defense systems, and will train pilots for F-16 aircraft.
“The stronger Ukraine becomes, the closer we become to ending Russia’s aggression,” Stoltenberg said.
“Russia could lay down arms and end its war today. Ukraine doesn’t have that option. Ukraine’s surrender would not mean peace. It would mean brutal Russian occupation. Peace at any price would be no peace at all.”
Jens Stoltenberg
He said “every metre that Ukrainian forces regain is a metre that Russia loses.”
He added, “And there is a stark contrast: Ukrainians are fighting for their families, their future, their freedom. Moscow is fighting for imperial delusions.”
“NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,” Stoltenberg added.
French Defense Minister Meets Zelenskyy
Also on Thursday, French Defense Minister, Sebastien Lecornu arrived in Ukraine and had a meeting with Zelenskyy.
In their meeting, Zelenskyy acknowledged France’s comprehensive assistance to Ukraine.
He appreciated President Emmanuel Macron’s personal role in supporting Ukraine’s international initiatives and decisions to strengthen Ukrainian defense forces.
During the meeting, further steps to enhance Ukraine’s defense capabilities with the support of France were discussed in detail, including the possibility of initiating joint production of certain types of weapons.
Special attention was given to strengthening Ukraine’s air defense, especially crucial in the lead-up to the winter period.
Zelenskyy also awarded Lecornu the Order of Merit of II class, for his significant personal contribution to strengthening intergovernmental cooperation, support of Ukraine’s state sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In addition, Lecornu and Rustem Umerov, Ukraine’s Defence Minister held a press conference about further military aid in Kyiv.
READ ALSO: Germany And Israel Ink $3.5bn Missile Shield Deal
