NATO reiterates support for Kiev at NATO-Ukrainian Council meeting

Foreign ministers from NATO member states concluded their two-day meetings in Brussels on Wednesday, addressing support for Ukraine, preparations for its summit in Washington and pressing security challenges.

On the second day of the military alliance meeting, the first meeting of the NATO-Ukrainian Council took place, attended by Kiev Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

He thanked NATO allies for their continued support, adding that Ukraine would not withdraw to its battle to regain territorial integrity within its internationally recognised “ ” of 1991.

Kuleba also stressed the importance of considerable growth in weapons, ammunition and other military equipment, not only to help Ukraine, but also “to ensure the safety and protection of NATO countries themselves”.

It will not be an exaggeration to say that protecting Europe without Ukraine is a futile task. You can't do this, simply, for a simple reason, because we currently have the strongest and most severe army in battle in Europe,” he said.

At the meeting, NATO allies pledged to “remain steadfast in their commitment to further boost political and practical support for Ukraine.

“We remain steadfast in our commitment to Ukraine. We are determined that Ukraine will one day sit at this table as a full member of our alliance,” said Secretary General NATO, Jens Stoltenberg in his opening speech.

For the ongoing fight, he said Ukraine had caused serious losses to Russia and Moscow's international influence, Reuters writes