Ukraine will join NATO, the alliance’s Secretary-General confirmed today in the latest blow to Vladimir Putin.
The Kremlin tyrant ordered his forces to invade Ukraine last February to halt what he claimed was the coalition’s expansion to Russia's borders.
But the move backfired when Sweden and Finland applied to join the alliance.
Now, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg declared Kyiv would also eventually join the 74-year-old, 30-member organisation.
“NATO allies have agreed that Ukraine will become a member of our alliance. But at the same time that is a long term perspective,” he said in Finland yesterday.
“No-one can tell exactly when this war ends, but when it ends, we need to ensure that history doesn't repeat itself that President Putin cannot continue to attack neighbours, and therefore we need to strengthen the military capabilities of Ukraine, but also look for frameworks that can ensure that President Putin - Russia - doesn't invade Ukraine yet another time.”
Addressing the SAMAK Nordic summit in Helsinki later, Mr Stoltenberg urged the West to “sustain and step up our support to Ukraine”.
Accusing the Kremlin of “launching new offensives, mobilising more troops and reaching out to North Korea and Iran to get more weapons”, he went on: “We are also increasingly concerned that China may be planning to provide lethal support for Russia’s war, so we must give Ukraine what they need to prevail.”
As the two sides prepare for fresh attacks as spring looms, he warned that “President Putin's war against Ukraine grinds on and there are no signs that he's changing his plans”.
A year and four days after Moscow’s tanks rolled over the border, Mr Stoltenberg said: “He wants to control Ukraine and he is not planning for peace, he's planning for more war, and therefore it is extremely important that we provide support to Ukraine.”
Mr Stoltenberg said the alliance was “providing an unprecedented level of military support to Ukraine”.
He denied NATO was a “party to the conflict”, but added: “We need to remember what this is - this is a war of aggression launched by President Putin against Ukraine.
“They have the right to defend themselves.”
NATO members have already agreed Finland and Sweden should join the alliance, to bolster their defences against Russia.
But the rubber-stamping process is being held up by Turkey and Hungary.
Leaders from NATO, Turkey, Sweden and Finland meet at the coalition’s Brussels headquarters next week to discuss the two countries’ applications.
They will also take part in NATO’s annual summit, which takes place in Lithuanian capital Vilnius in July.
Holding talks with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki today, former Norwegian PM Mr Stoltenberg said their negotiations took place at “a critical time for our security”.
Insisting the nations already enjoyed protection from the alliance’s security umbrella, he told the SANAK summit: “Finland and Sweden’s applications to NATO have already strengthened your security - you are sitting at NATO’s table and integrating into our political and military structures.
“NATO has increased its presence in the region, we are exercising more together and many allies have given Finland and Sweden security assurances.
“It is inconceivable that NATO allies would not act if your security was threatened.”
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