NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he couldn’t say when Kyiv would become a NATO member, but it was moving “closer and closer.” Meanwhile, Joe Biden said the alliance is “stronger than it’s ever been.” DW has the latest.
The NATO leaders of 32 members states are continuing to meet in Washington at the alliance’s 75th anniversary summit, with the ongoing war in Ukraine the focus of talks.
Day one saw US President Joe Biden stress the “sacred obligation” his country has in terms of supporting the alliance and pledge air defense systems for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked NATO for its “strong declaration” over air defense, something he has been repeatedly been calling for in the face of increasing Russian missile and drone strikes.
The 2024 summit is the last for outgoing Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, with former Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte taking over the top job in October.
Blinken says F-16 jets from Denmark, Netherlands en route to Ukraine
F-16 fighter aircraft are en route to Ukraine from Denmark and the Netherlands, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced during the NATO summit on Wednesday.
The first batch of the US-built fighter planes were already being transferred, Blinken said.
“And those jets…will be flying in the skies of Ukraine this summer to make sure that Ukraine can continue to effectively defend itself against the Russian aggression.”
The F-16 transfer “concentrates Vladimir Putin’s mind on the fact that he will not outlast Ukraine, he will not outlast us and, if he persists, the damage that will continue to be done to Russia and its interests will only deepen,” Blinken said.
“The quickest way to get to peace is through a strong Ukraine.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the US, Denmark and the Netherlands for strengthening Ukraine’s air force.
