Video message by NATO Deputy Secretary General Ambassador Alexander Vershbow

Good morning Ladies and Gentlemen.

I regret that I cannot be with you at in person.  But I value the opportunity to say a few words on the occasion of your conference.  It comes at a critical time for the security of your nation and our wider Euro-Atlantic community.

NATO has supported -- and we will continue to support -- the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.  And that includes your country’s right to choose its own future free from outside interference.

Last month, we had the privilege of welcoming President Poroshenko at our NATO Summit in Wales.  In a joint statement we condemned Russia’s illegal and illegitimate “annexation” of Crimea.  And Russia’s ongoing and deliberate destabilisation of eastern Ukraine in violation of international law.

NATO Allies continue to urge Russia to withdraw its remaining troops from Ukrainian territory, as well as those it has massed on the border.  To instruct the separatists to de-escalate the situation.  And to fulfill the commitments agreed in the 5 September Minsk Protocol and the 19 September implementation agreement.

These commitments include the full implementation of the ceasefire, which remains problematic due to continued separatist attacks.  They also include the participation of all regions of Ukraine in the parliamentary elections on 26 October, without external interference.

NATO Allies also continue to support the efforts of the Government of Ukraine to pursue a political solution to this crisis.  And in this respect, let me commend the quick adoption of the necessary legislation to comply with the Minsk accords.

Ukraine has been an important and distinctive NATO partner for many years.  We highly value Ukraine’s continued contributions to our operations, as well as to the NATO Response Force.  Ukraine has stood by NATO.  Now, in these difficult times, NATO stands by Ukraine.

NATO Allies have consistently supported your country throughout the crisis.  We have intensified our strategic consultations in the framework of the NATO-Ukraine Commission.  And we have enhanced our practical cooperation in a number of areas to help Ukraine provide for its own security. 

We are in the process now of launching substantial new programmes with a focus on command, control, communications, and computers; logistics and standardization; cyber defence; and military career transition management.

Allies are also helping the medical treatment of wounded Ukrainian soldiers.  And we have valuable expertise in the medical rehabilitation of injured military personnel that we have also offered to share.

The Alliance is firmly committed to continuing to support Ukraine with meaningful, wide-ranging, and long-term reform efforts.  We will continue to provide advice through the comprehensive mechanism of the Annual National Programme.  And by significantly reinforcing our NATO’s offices in Kyiv with specialized advisors who will work closely with their Ukrainian counterparts on a daily basis.

We very much welcome the decision to conduct a comprehensive review of your country’s defence and security sector.  This is another area where NATO has valuable expertise that we will be looking to share.

In the coming weeks and months, we will be working closer together to help build a strong, modern Ukrainian army.  We will continue to improve the ability of Ukrainian and NATO forces to operate together.  And we will continue to support Ukraine’s democratic reforms.

NATO will help.  But I wish to emphasise that Ukraine itself is primarily responsible for making sure that vital reforms are being introduced.  That they are being implemented.  And that they continue to go forward.

Earlier this year, the holding of free and fair Presidential elections, and the signature of an Association Agreement with the European Union, were a strong testament to the consolidation of Ukraine’s democracy and its European aspiration.  NATO Allies look forward to the elections to the Verkhovna Rada later this month as a further important step in this process.

I wish you a very successful conference.  And I look forward to learning about the outcome of your discussions.