Meeting Jens Stoltenberg, President Zelensky Urges NATO Membership And Increases Arms Supply For Ukraine

JAKARTA - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky told the Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Alliance (NATO) on Thursday it was time for the military alliance to offer his country membership, while Kyiv needed more weapons to fight Russia.

President Zelensky made his comments at a joint press conference following talks with Stoltenberg, which offered NATO solidarity with Ukraine on his first trip to Kyiv since Russia's massive invasion nearly 14 months ago.

The visit of NATO's secretary-general is likely to upset the Kremlin, which said earlier on Thursday, one of the main goals of "special military operations" in Ukraine is to prevent it from joining what Moscow considers a hostile bloc.

President Zelensky said he believed the NATO summit in Vilnius in July could be "historic" and he had been invited to attend.

"I am grateful for the invitation to visit the summit, but it is also important for Ukraine to accept appropriate invitations," President Zelensky said.

The visit of NATO Secretary-General is likely to upset the Kremlin, which said earlier on Thursday that one of the main goals of "special military operations" in Ukraine is to prevent it from joining what Moscow considers a hostile bloc.

President Zelensky said he believed the NATO summit in Vilnius in July could be "historic" and he had been invited to attend.

"I am grateful for the invitation to visit the summit, but it is also important for Ukraine to accept appropriate invitations," President Zelensky said.

"Mr President, I am here today with a simple message: NATO supports Ukraine. NATO supports you today, tomorrow and as long as necessary," Stoltenberg said.

Ukraine announced its proposal for a fast-track NATO membership last September, after the Kremlin said it had annexed four Ukrainian territories partially occupied by its troops.

Separately, the Kremlin reiterated to reporters Moscow opposes NATO recognizing Ukraine, the former Soviet Republic.

"...if not, it will pose a serious and significant danger to the security of our country," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.

Stoltenberg's visit to Kyiv comes at an important point in Russia's nearly 14-month invasion that has killed thousands of people, injured millions of people, destroyed Ukrainian cities and economy.

Stoltenberg began its journey a day before NATO defense officials discussed a new military supply for Ukraine, at their last meeting at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

After going through Russia's winter and spring attacks that have only made minor progress in the east, Ukraine is now hoping to retake land in the south and east through retaliatory attacks in the coming weeks or months.

An honour to be back in Kyiv & meet with President @ZelenskyyUa. #Ukraine's rightful place is in #NATO, and over time our support will help to make this possible. We stand by you today & for the long haul. pic.twitter.com/0vlKZNVY0F

— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) April 20, 2023