The course towards full membership in the EU and NATO remains the unwavering foreign policy priority of Ukraine. It was stated by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy during the joint briefing with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels.
"The strategic course of Ukraine is aimed at full membership in the EU and NATO. This is enshrined in the Constitution of Ukraine and remains our unwavering foreign policy priority," the Head of State emphasized.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy also emphasized that the movement of Ukraine to the high European standards of life and security was a requirement of Ukrainian society.
"This is the goal of all our reforms - raising the living standards of Ukrainians, eliminating corruption and modernizing the entire state. This can only be done by providing national security," the President said.
He added that Ukraine was willing to fulfill the Minsk agreements.
"However, first of all, we must be able to defend ourselves, to become stronger in economic, political and military sense," he stressed.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked for the political and practical support Ukraine receives from the North Atlantic Alliance and allies.
"I want to give a new boost to our relations with the Alliance. Russia's armed aggression remains a major challenge for Euro-Atlantic security. Stability and security in the Black Sea remains our common task, which requires additional efforts of the Alliance," the Head of State emphasized.
The President of Ukraine praised the decision of the allies to enhance the Black Sea security and help strengthen the capabilities of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.
"We are hopeful to resume our regular dialogue in the framework of the Ukraine-NATO Commission at the level of heads of state and government, as well as ministers of defense and foreign affairs," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
According to him, Ukraine expects the visit of the North Atlantic Council.
"We will continue the European and Euro-Atlantic integration. We need all available mechanisms that will help us on this path," Volodymyr Zelenskyy stressed.
For his part, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg stressed that Ukraine was a reliable partner of the Alliance.
"Ukraine is a valuable partner of NATO. You contribute to our missions in Afghanistan and Kosovo, even if you have problems at home. We carry out many exercises together. It shows Ukraine's high commitment to national security," Jens Stoltenberg said.
He noted that during the meeting with Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the situation in the east Ukraine had been discussed, in particular, Russia's attempt to give its passports to Ukrainian citizens.
"The latest example of Russia's attempt to destabilize the east Ukraine is a step in the wrong direction," he said.
Today, the Ukraine-NATO Commission will consider the security situation in Ukraine at its meeting.
"I would like to hear your opinion. The conflict in the east Ukraine continues to take away lives. 13 thousand Ukrainian people were killed in battles. They deserve peace. I commend your commitment to resolve the conflict peacefully. NATO will support the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We will not recognize the illegal annexation. We condemn Russia's aggressive actions in the Black Sea region," the NATO Secretary General said.
Jens Stoltenberg emphasized that the Alliance welcomed the decision of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, according to which Russia must release Ukrainian sailors and ships detained in November 2018. He reminded that in response to Russia's aggressive actions, NATO had increased its military presence in the Black Sea region.
