‘We’ll Issue Membership Invitation To Ukraine’ – NATO

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) said a membership invitation will be issued to Ukraine to join the organization.

VerseNews Nigeria reports that the NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the end of the 2023 NATO Summit in Vilnius said that Ukraine is now closer to joining the organization.

“Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Allies reaffirmed that Ukraine will become a member of NATO, and agreed to remove the requirement for a Membership Action Plan. 

“This will change Ukraine’s membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process. We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when Allies agree that conditions are met,” he said.

He assured that NATO is now committed in deepening its relationship with Ukraine and in providing a long-time security assistance to the country against the Russian invasion.

“We agreed to bring Ukraine closer to the Alliance, and step up support for the long haul. And we deepened our partnerships around the world even more.”

“I have just chaired the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council. From now on, NATO and Ukraine will meet in the Council to discuss and decide as equals. This is a significant step to move Ukraine closer to NATO.”

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“I also welcome the major new announcements of military support made by NATO Allies at this Summit. Allies have already provided tens of billions of dollars in military aid to help beat back Russia’s invasion.”

“Tens of thousands of Ukrainian troops have been trained and equipped by NATO Allies. And as Ukraine continues to liberate territory, we will stand by them. For as long as it takes.”

“Yesterday, Allies agreed a new multi-year assistance package for Ukraine to help transition Ukraine from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards, and make their forces fully interoperable with NATO.”

“This sends a clear, strong and united message from our Vilnius Summit.  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.”

“I welcome that many Allies have now committed to providing long-term security assistance to Ukraine. This will help deter any future aggression from Russia after this war ends.”