Stoltenberg's sudden visit to Kyiv. "Joining NATO is a matter of time"

A series of unannounced visits to Kyiv. The British Defense Minister, his French counterpart and Jens Stoltenberg arrived in the capital of Ukraine. - Russian forces are fighting in Ukraine for Moscow's imperial illusions, but without success. Ukrainian troops are gradually gaining ground during the counteroffensive, said the NATO Secretary General.

- Today we are de facto talking as allies. It is only a matter of time when Ukraine will also become a de jure member of the Alliance, emphasized Volodymyr Zelensky.

Volodymyr Zelensky posted on X (formerly Twitter) a short recording of his meeting with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

- Today we are already talking de facto as allies. It is only a matter of time when Ukraine will also become a de jure member of the Alliance. We are doing everything to make it happen as soon as possible, Zelensky said during a joint press conference with Stoltenberg.

Ukraine: NATO Chief Jens Stoltenberg in Kyiv

- Ukraine is already defending the common space of freedom that unites all NATO members. Ukraine's victory in this unprovoked and criminal war unleashed by Russia will guarantee long-term security and peace not only for our country, but also for the entire (European) continent. (...) The reality itself (the course of events on the front - ed.) proves that (our) membership in the Alliance will be an absolutely natural (process) and will strengthen both Ukraine and NATO, Zelensky said.

- I can confirm that NATO has framework agreements for (purchase of) ammunition worth EUR 2.4 billion, including binding orders worth EUR 1 billion. This includes 155 mm artillery ammunition, anti-tank guided missiles and tank ammunition, Stoltenberg said, explaining that these funds are intended to replenish the resources of Alliance member states that provide military assistance to Ukraine.

https://twitter.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1707361109110325715

Since February 2022, i.e. the beginning of the Russian invasion, Kyiv has received support worth almost EUR 100 billion. Half of this amount was donated by the United States, and the other half by European NATO members and Canada. Currently, Ukraine plans to start producing weapons, including air defense systems, in cooperation with the US, Stoltenberg added.

Ukraine: Defense Ministers Shapps, Lecornu in Kyiv

On Thursday, the British Defense Minister, his French counterpart, also arrived in the Ukrainian capital. Volodymyr Zelensky talks about "significant" meetings.

As Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized, they discussed "further cooperation in the field of defense" with the representative of the British government, as well as steps to strengthen Ukraine's air defense and its "battlefield capabilities."