NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, on the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, expressed his belief that the future of Ukraine lies in the Western defense alliance.
Moscow launched this war with the aim of “closing NATO’s door to Ukraine, denying it the right to choose its own path,” Jens Stoltenberg said in a video message published on Saturday.
“But the exact opposite is happening: Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever,” he emphasized.
“Ukraine will join NATO. It’s not a question of if, but when,” he said.
Russian forces launched an all-out invasion of the neighboring country in the early morning hours of February 24, 2022.
“While we prepare you for that day, NATO will continue to stand by Ukraine. For your security, and ours,” Stoltenberg said.
He described the situation on the front line as “extremely serious” and said that there is “no indication” that Russian President Vladimir Putin is preparing for peace.
“But we must not lose hope. Ukraine has repeatedly demonstrated its extraordinary capabilities and fierce determination,” he said, praising Ukrainian forces.
“You took back half of the territory that Russia had taken. You drove Russia out of large parts of the Black Sea. And inflicted heavy losses on Russian forces.”
He said NATO countries have so far provided Kiev with billions of dollars in aid, including “artillery ammunition, anti-aircraft defenses and gunboats … F-16 equipment and spare parts, drones and mine clearance equipment.”
“More support is on the way,” he promised.
