Ukraine to join NATO - Stoltenberg

Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. The country's accession to the alliance is no longer a matter of "if" but a matter of time. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this during an address to Ukrainians on the air of a telethon.

He also pointed out that it was Putin who pushed Ukraine to this step.

President Putin started this war because he wanted to close NATO's doors and take away Ukraine's right to choose its own path. But he has achieved the exact opposite. Ukraine is closer to NATO now than ever before. Ukraine will join NATO, it is not a question of 'if' but a question of 'when'," Stoltenberg said.

The Secretary General added that the Alliance will continue to support Ukraine for the sake of "your and our security".

We shall remind you that on 30 September 2022 Ukraine applied for NATO membership under the accelerated procedure. As of today Ukraine has received recommendations from NATO on accession. This happened at the end of the Ukraine-NATO Council, the meeting of which was held in Brussels on 29 November. The recommendations concern the primary reforms for joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation. A number of politicians believe that Ukraine will not be able to join the North Atlantic Alliance as long as the war continues on its territory. Opponents of Ukraine's accession to NATO believe that if it joins the organisation, the war with Russia may spill over to the EU territory.