NATO backs aid package for Ukraine
PR dla Zagranicy
Paweł Kononczuk
09.07.2016 18:08
NATO leaders on Saturday approved an aid package for Ukraine and declared they “do not – and will not – recognise Russia’s illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea” in 2014.
Petro Poroshenko, President of Ukraine, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Photo: EPA/RAINER JENSEN
The military alliance’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the conclusion of a two-day NATO summit in Warsaw that Ukraine has committed to major reforms and efforts to tackle corruption.
“Implementing these reforms is essential. NATO is helping with advice and targeted support. To make Ukraine’s defence and security institutions more effective, efficient and accountable. This is the purpose of the Comprehensive Assistance Package that we endorsed today.”
Stoltenberg added: “An independent, sovereign and stable Ukraine, firmly committed to democracy and the rule of law, is key to Euro-Atlantic security.”
The NATO chief said "allies are united in their support” for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We call on Moscow to end its political, military and financial support for the separatists” in eastern Ukraine. “All parties must fully implement the Minsk Agreements. And work towards a diplomatic negotiated solution,” Stoltenberg added.
He said the question of Ukraine becoming a NATO member “is not currently on the agenda.” The focus is on how Ukraine can meet NATO standards, he added.
“We will continue to provide strong political and practical support and will address the question of membership at a later stage.”
On Friday, the first day of the Warsaw summit, NATO announced it will deploy four multinational battalions to Poland and three Baltic countries, which fear potential Russian aggression following Moscow's annexation of Crimea in 2014. (pk)