Opening remarks
by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO-Ukraine Council in Defence Ministers Session, together with the Invitee
(As delivered)
Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Defence Ministers.
And a special welcome to Minister Umerov, who is joining us via VTC. It's great to see you there on the screen.
And also to the EU High Representative, who will come soon.
Later this month we will mark two years since Russia's full scale invasion of Ukraine.
Thanks to the extraordinary bravery and determination of your armed forces and the steadfast support of NATO Allies and partners, Ukraine remains an independent sovereign nation.
Today, Minister Umerov will brief us on the situation on the ground in Ukraine.
And we will discuss how to provide further support and bring Ukraine even closer to NATO membership.
Thanks again to the media for joining us. This ends the public part of that meeting.