NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Kyiv on an unannounced visit.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg arrived in Ukraine on an unannounced visit. This visit by the NATO Secretary General was the third since the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Before this, Stoltenberg came to Kyiv on April 20 and September 28, 2023. “The situation is difficult, but it is not too late for Ukraine to win – and support is on the way. NATO is also taking a step forward in the long term, putting Ukraine on an irreversible path to the Alliance,” said the alliance’s Secretary General. True, he did not promise Ukraine membership in NATO.

Stoltenberg recalled that the United States could not agree on an aid package to Ukraine for months, and European partners did not deliver shells in the promised quantities, which is why Ukraine experienced a shortage of weapons for months and was forced to conserve ammunition.

“Fewer Russian missiles and drones were shot down, and Russia was able to move forward along the front line. But it is not too late for Ukraine to win. More help is on the way,” Stoltenberg said.

President Vladimir Zelensky, at a briefing with Stoltenberg, emphasized that the efficiency of supply partners means stabilization of the front. He warned that the Russian army is preparing for a further offensive and Ukraine, together with its partners, must thwart this offensive.

“…Promptness in deliveries literally means stabilization of the front. 155-caliber artillery, long-range weapons and air defense, primarily Patriot systems. This is what the partners have, and what should now work here in Ukraine to destroy Russian “terrorist ambitions,” he said.

Stoltenberg also spoke in the Verkhovna Rada. Marianna Bezugla, known for her harsh statements, a representative of the presidential Servant of the People, described the visit of the NATO Secretary General this way: “The speech is about general things, nothing new. He made it clear that there would be no invitation to the next NATO summit (in Washington this summer). Of course, he said that Ukraine would be a member of NATO. Once upon a time.”

The NATO Secretary General invited Vladimir Zelensky to the alliance summit, which will be held in Washington in July. At the same time, he expressed doubt that at this summit Kyiv will receive an official invitation to join the alliance.

“To make this decision, we need the consent of all allies, we need consensus, not a majority, that is, we need the consent of all 32 members. And I do not expect that we will get such an agreement at the summit in July. But I believe that we will be able to demonstrate that we are bringing Ukraine even closer to membership and want to speed up the day when Ukraine joins us as a full member,” Stoltenberg said.

“When the right moment comes, Ukraine will be able to become a NATO member immediately. I look forward to the day when the Ukrainian flag flies near NATO headquarters,” he assured.

Vladimir Zelensky submitted an application for the country to join NATO on an accelerated basis on September 30, 2022. Kyiv's intention was dictated by the Russian invasion of Ukraine. At the NATO summit held in Vilnius in July 2023, the alliance members did not officially invite Ukraine, but agreed to simplify the process of the country’s accession to the military-political bloc.

The issue of transferring American Patriot air defense systems to Ukraine is currently a priority for NATO, Stoltenberg said.

“Our priority is the transfer of Patriot,” he said at a briefing with President Zelensky during a visit to Kyiv.

The NATO Secretary General emphasized that Ukraine needs not only Patriot, but also other systems, such as NASAMS. “We need a layered air defense system,” Stoltenberg noted.

President Zelensky, for his part, said that he had received assurances from Western partners that there would be no delays in the process of delivering missiles for the Patriot systems.