Stoltenberg reaffirms support for Ukraine, hails progress

13.02.2020 16:19

Ukrinform

NATO Allies have reaffirmed their determination to provide political and practical assistance to Ukraine in implementing reforms and support the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said.

He said this at a press conference in Brussels on Thursday following a meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defense Ministers' session, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"We had a very good meeting with Ukrainian Defense Minister [Andriy Zahorodniuk]. All the Allies expressed strong support to Ukraine, to Ukraine's territorial integrity, to its sovereignty," he said.

Stoltenberg recalled that NATO continues to provide strong political and practical support to Ukraine in developing defense capabilities, in particular, in developing the Ukrainian Navy.

"It is also important that Ukraine continue on the path of reform. We commend Ukraine for the promise they made. We commend President [Volodymyr] Zelensky for the initiative he has taken to renew the efforts to find a peaceful solution to the conflict in Ukraine. We have seen some progress here, in particular, within the Normandy Format. We welcome the fact that we have seen prisoner exchanges, and disengagement has also been expanded," he added.

He noted that there are still problems in the Donbas settlement process, in particular, observers from the OSCE SMM cannot work safely in non-government-controlled areas. He also called for the provision of conditions for their unhindered operation.

Photo: NATO