Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the first session of the Meeting of the North Atlantic Council in Defence Ministers’ session
(As delivered)
Good morning. Welcome to all of you.
We are ready to start this session of the NATO Defence Ministerial meeting.
In this working session, we will address NATO's defence and deterrence and the implications of Russia's war in Ukraine for Allied security.
We will discuss measures to ramp up our production and strengthen our industrial base.
So that Ukraine has what it needs to prevail as a sovereign and independent nation. And that we have what we need to defend our nations.
We stand united as Allies and in solidarity with Ukraine.
Let me welcome the strong message from the UN General Assembly clearly condemning Russia’s illegal annexation of Ukrainian territories. And calling for the reversal of these illegal acts. The overwhelming majority in the UN demonstrates that Russia is isolated.
I thank the media for joining us at the top of the meeting. And then we will continue in just a moment.
Thank you so much.