KYIV: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met with secretary-general of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, to discuss cooperation and rapprochement between Ukraine and the alliance on Thursday, reported Xinhua.
The two parties exchanged their views on defence issues, including the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine and the needs of Ukrainian soldiers, the presidential press service reported.
Protecting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure from possible attacks and the prospects of supplying additional air defence systems to Ukraine by NATO member states was another topic of the meeting.
Speaking to reporters, Zelensky described the talks as “meaningful conversation between de facto allies”.
“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.”
For his part, Stoltenberg pledged that NATO’s support for Ukraine would continue.
“NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes,“ he said.
Currently, Ukraine and NATO are working on an adapted Annual National Programme, which will determine practical steps to ensure Ukraine’s compliance with the principles and standards of the alliance, Zelensky added.
According to media reports, Stoltenberg arrived in Kyiv earlier in the day for an unannounced visit.-Bernama
