NATO Secretary General, Press Conference at Foreign Ministers Meeting, 04 APR 2023

Press conference by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg following the first day of meetings of NATO Ministers of Foreign Affairs, 4 April 2023. In a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on Tuesday (4 April 2023), Allied foreign ministers reaffirmed their strong support for Ukraine. Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that Allies will develop a multi-year initiative to help ensure Ukraine’s deterrence and defence, make the transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and increase interoperability with NATO. “This demonstrates our long-term commitment to Ukraine and brings Ukraine closer to the Euro-Atlantic family,” he said. Allied ministers and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba also discussed the importance of Ukraine’s continuing reforms. This was the first meeting attended by Finland as a full member of NATO, following their accession earlier in the day. 🗣 | NATO Secretary General: Good evening, We have just finished a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission with Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba. This was also our first meeting with Finland as a full NATO member. We addressed Russia’s brutal war of aggression. Our support for Ukraine. And its Euro-Atlantic aspirations. The people of Ukraine continue to defend their country with skill and bravery. And we will continue to support them for as long as it takes. NATO Allies have delivered close to 150 billion euros of support, including 65 billion euros of military aid. But there is no room for complacency. President Putin has not changed course in Ukraine. He thinks Russia can outlast our support. Our meeting today underscored NATO’s enduring commitment to Ukraine. Allies are ramping up the production of weapons and ammunition. And delivering on their pledges of training and new heavy weaponry. The first Leopard and Challenger tanks are in Ukraine. Together with tanks and infantry fighting vehicles from several other Allies. As agreed at the Madrid Summit, we have also stepped up urgent non-lethal support through NATO’s Ukraine fund. This includes fuel, medical supplies, mobile satellite systems and pontoon bridges. I thank Allies that have made substantial contributions, such as Germany, the Netherlands, Norway and the UK. And partners such as Australia and Japan. I welcome that ministers have made more announcements today. And I expect more in the coming days and months. Building on this, we will develop a multi-year support initiative for Ukraine. To help ensure Ukraine’s deterrence and defence, make the transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and increase interoperability with NATO. This demonstrates our long-term commitment to Ukraine. And brings Ukraine closer to the Euro-Atlantic family. Allies made clear that we remain committed to NATO’s Open Door policy. We encourage Ukraine to continue on the path of reforms, even in difficult times. We discussed the importance of anti-corruption measures, the rule of law, and the rights of minorities. A strong, independent Ukraine is vital for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area. And we look forward to meeting President Zelensky at our Vilnius Summit in July. NATO will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes. Ukraine’s future is in the Euro-Atlantic family. And with that I am ready to take your questions.