NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg meets Ukraine’s Zelenskyy in Kyiv

News April 21, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv on April 20, 2023, to meet Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and reiterate NATO’s support to the Ukrainian government.

This was Stoltenberg’s fourth trip to Ukraine as NATO Secretary General. During the meeting with the Ukrainian president, Stoltenberg highlighted NATO’s enduring support for Ukraine as the country continues to defend itself against Russia’s aggression. “NATO stands with you today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes,” Stoltenberg said.

NATO Secretary General Stoltenberg and Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy also held a joint press conference in Kyiv, where Stoltenberg underlined that “NATO Allies have delivered more than 150 billion euros of support to Ukraine since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, and that Allies have provided training for tens of thousands of Ukrainian soldiers over the years,” the NATO statement read.

“Allies are now delivering more jets, tanks, and armored vehicles, and NATO’s Ukraine fund is providing urgent support… All of this is making a real difference on the battlefield today,” Stoltenberg added.

The NATO secretary general also said that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family. Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO. And over time, our support will help to make this possible.

Stoltenberg also underlined that a multi-year support initiative will help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and ensure full interoperability with the Alliance, calling this “a testament to NATO’s long-term commitment to Ukraine.”

*^{NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg meets with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine, on April 20, 2023. (Image Credit: NATO)}*

While in Ukraine, the NATO secretary general also visited Bucha city and paid his respects to the victims of Russian atrocities. Stoltenberg laid a wreath at the Wall of Remembrance of the Fallen for Ukraine and paid tribute to “all those who have lost lives or suffered wounds” in the war.

During the end of his visit, Stoltenberg also addressed the International Summit of Communities and Regions alongside President Zelenskyy. The NATO secretary general praised Ukraine’s work toward post-war reconstruction and said “Your determination to fight the aggressor, liberate your land, and work for a brighter future says very clearly to me: Ukraine will prevail.”

The NATO secretary general will travel to Ramstein Air Base in Germany on April 21, for a meeting of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, where more than 50 countries will hold a meeting to discuss ways to further strengthen Ukraine.

Stoltenberg said, “At the meeting in Ramstein tomorrow, I expect that NATO allies and partners will make new announcements of concrete military support to Ukraine, and that, of course, will come on top of the unprecedented support… which has all been delivered.”