NATO Secretary General visits Ukraine for first time since war broke out
Kyiv, The Gulf Observer: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg visited Ukraine on Thursday for the first time since Russia’s military operation more than a year ago, a highly symbolic trip that underscores the alliance’s commitment to help ing Kyiv defend itself.
The Kremlin quickly warned that Ukraine must not be allowed to join NATO.
Russia has given various and shifting justifications for going to war, but it has repeatedly pointed to the expansion of the military alliance toward its borders in recent years, including citing fears that Kyiv would be admitted.
Images published in local media showed Stoltenberg apparently paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kiev’s St. Michael’s Square.
The visit, just two days after Russian President Vladimir Putin himself went to Ukraine, holds important symbolism, but its exact purpose was not immediately clear.
NATO has no official presence in Ukraine, but Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war. He has been instrumental in garnering and coordinating support — including weapons, ammunition and training for Ukraine’s embattled troops — from the 31 countries that make up the organization.
Stoltenberg had been to Kyiv before the war, but this is his first visit during the hostilities.
