NATO encourages Ukraine to continue reforms to get closer to membership - Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stated this at a joint briefing with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during the NATO summit in Brussels, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Ukraine’s long-term goal is to join the Alliance. The focus now is on reforms. You are making important progress… I encourage you to keep up the momentum. This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO. But above all, it will strengthen your security, and your democracy,” the NATO head said.

He also welcomed the adoption of a new Law on National Security, which is “the key to establish civilian control and democratic oversight over the armed forces and the security services”.

According to the NATO Secretary General, today the North Atlantic Council will discuss, together with the Presidents of Georgia and Ukraine, the security situation in and around Ukraine, defense reforms and practical cooperation.

“NATO is firm in our support for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. And we strongly condemn Russia’s illegal annexation of Crimea,” Stoltenberg said.

He also noted that the situation remains serious in eastern Ukraine, but the Minsk Agreements “remain the path to peace.”

“And Russia has a special responsibility. It must withdraw its troops and its support for militants in Ukraine,” Stoltenberg stressed.

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