All NATO allies HAVE agreed on Ukraine’s accession: Bundnichef shows strong support for Zelenskyy

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said today that all members agree that Ukraine will join the military alliance, a major boost for Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

The chief said Ukraine must have “the deterrent to prevent further attacks from Russia” once the war is over – and joining would give Kiev protection.

Mr Stoltenberg said Nato allies had agreed that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance and that Mr Zelensky had been invited to attend the next summit in July.

But Mr Stoltenberg, who met Ukraine’s president in Kiev yesterday, added that the main focus now is to ensure the country wins against Russia.

He acknowledged the need to discuss “new platforms of support” with the struggle, now in its second year. He also stressed the need to ensure that weapons that have already been delivered continue to function.

Pictured: Ukrainian soldiers fire at targets on the front line near the town of Ugledar, Donetsk, Ukraine, as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues on Tuesday

“I think we sometimes underestimate all the logistics needed to have main battle tank capabilities ready for use, so maybe it’s a little more tedious, but the logistics are extremely important,” the NATO chief said.

He added: “It is now a war of attrition and a war of attrition is becoming a war of logistics.”

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin today said international support for Ukraine was “strong and true” as he opened a meeting with allies in Germany to discuss further support for Kiev.

On the eve of talks with representatives of 50 countries, Zelenskyy called on Western allies to send more warplanes and long-range missiles to repel Russian forces.

He made his requests directly to Mr. Stoltenberg, who visited Kiev before traveling to Ramstein Air Force Base for the meeting.

“Our support for the liberation forces in Ukraine is strong and true,” Mr Austin said at the start of the talks, a year after the meeting of defense chiefs began to coordinate aid to Ukraine.

“At today’s contact group meeting we will focus on three key issues: air defence, munitions and resources,” said Mr. Austin said, referring to logistics and other support.

Zelenskyy called for NATO help to overcome “the reluctance” of some member states to provide long-range missiles, modern fighter jets and armored vehicles.

Ukrainian soldiers shoot targets on the front lines towards the town of Ugledar, Donetsk, Ukraine, as the war between Russia and Ukraine continues on April 18, 2023

NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, but no modern aircraft such as the US-designed F-16 have been promised, despite Ukraine’s requests.

Western backers of Ukraine have also been reluctant to send long-range missiles, fearing that Ukraine could use them to hit targets in Russia.

Mr. Stoltenberg acknowledged the need to discuss “new platforms of support” with the battle, now in its second year. He also emphasized the need to ensure that weapons that have already been delivered continue to function.

Earlier this week, Ukraine said it had received the first shipment of Patriots from allies, believed to be one of the most advanced US air defense systems.

Germany also delivered a promised Iris-T anti-aircraft missile system.

The kit was one of Kiev’s key demands from Western allies, as it was apparently designed to defend against Russian missile attacks and reverse the invasion of Moscow.

During Mr. Stoltenberg’s visit to Kiev also put pressure on the NATO chief to admit Ukraine to the alliance, but he emphasized that this is not the first priority.

“All NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a NATO member, but of course the main focus now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails,” he said.

“Without a sovereign, independent Ukraine, there is no point in talking about membership,” he said.

The NATO chief also stressed that the alliance supports Ukraine in the long term, including a “multi-year program to help Ukraine transition from Soviet-era equipment standards.” [and] Doctrines comply with NATO standards and doctrines.

“We need to make sure that Ukraine has the military power … that deterrent to prevent new attacks, because you have to keep in mind that the war did not start last February, but with the annexation of Crimea in 2014.”

Russia used drones to attack Kiev overnight in its first such attack in nearly a month, although city officials reported no casualties.

Moscow suffered a setback when one of its fighter jets lost ammunition over Belgorod, near the Ukrainian border, after authorities reported an explosion that injured two people and left a giant crater in the Russian city.

The Belgorod region has repeatedly come under fire since Vladimir Putin sent troops into Ukraine last February.