The more gains Ukraine makes, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table. Such a statement made the NATO Secretary General.

“We meet as Ukraine is conducting a major counter-offensive. It is still early days. And we do not know if this will be a turning point of the war. But we see that the Ukrainians are making advances and liberating more land. We know that the more gains Ukraine makes, the stronger their hand will be at the negotiating table.

The more gains Ukraine makes, the more likely it will be that President Putin realises he cannot win on the battlefield, but has to negotiate a just peace. The progress we see is a testament to the courage and commitment of the Ukrainian forces. It also demonstrates that the support provided by NATO Allies is making a real difference on the battlefield as we speak.

We will start our ministerial with a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, which will be preceded by the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, led by the United States. Together with Defence Minister Reznikov, we will address developments on the ground. And how to sustain our support. We will discuss a multi-year package of support, with substantial funding.

To ensure Ukraine can defend itself for the longer-term. To transition from Soviet-era to NATO standards, and achieve full interoperability with NATO. And to reform and rebuild its security and defence sector. We must ensure that, when this war ends, there are credible arrangements in place for Ukraine’s security. So that history does not repeat itself. And so that Russia cannot rest, rearm and relaunch a fresh attack. At the Vilnius Summit, we will send a strong message of support and solidarity with Ukraine. And make clear that Ukraine’s future is in NATO”, - said Jens Stoltenberg.