The most urgent task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign and independent nation in Europe. Such a statement made today the NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

“Well, all Allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance and I"m confident that the Summit will make decisions which will be strong and positive on Ukraine. And we are now discussing this package that was launched in Oslo of practical support to enable full interoperability between Ukrainian forces and NATO forces, stronger political ties with the NATO-Ukraine Council and then the removal of the Membership Action Plan. And of course, this is about moving Ukraine closer to membership. But again, the final decisions will be taken when every Ally, when we all agree and the Leaders meet tomorrow. So it’s too early to announce exactly their specific decisions and the specific language.

I think also, it is important to communicate that all Allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance, but we also agree that NATO still remains open. And we have demonstrated that by inviting Finland and Sweden to become members. And Finland is already a full member. And we have also reiterated again and again that of course it is for the Allies and Ukraine to decide when the time is right to invite Ukraine to be a full member.

The most urgent task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign and independent nation in Europe because unless Ukraine prevails, then there is no membership issue to be discussed at all. So I think it’s extremely important that we continue to ensure that Allies are providing weapons, ammunition, training, spare parts to Ukraine. So they are able to liberate more land but also to deter Russia from further aggression”, - said Jens Stoltenberg.