Jens Stoltenberg, the Secretary-General of NATO, visited Kyiv, Ukraine, for the first time since the Russian invasion over a year ago. On his visit, Stoltenberg declared Ukraine’s right to join the military alliance and reiterated NATO’s commitment to supporting the country. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged Stoltenberg to push for more support from NATO members, including warplanes, artillery, and armored equipment. Stoltenberg discussed a NATO support program with Zelenskyy, aiming to transition Ukraine from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, ensuring full interoperability with the alliance. Denmark and the Netherlands announced that they plan to provide Ukraine with at least 14 refurbished Leopard 2 battle tanks from early 2024.
The Kremlin has stated that preventing Ukraine from joining NATO is one of the goals of its “special military operation,” and that Ukraine’s membership in the alliance would pose a “significant threat” to Russia’s security. While NATO leaders have promised Ukraine’s membership since 2008, the alliance has not established a pathway or timetable for membership.
Stoltenberg has been a strong voice of the alliance throughout the war, and NATO only provides nonlethal support to Ukraine as an organization of 31 countries. However, as Western allies provide Ukraine with sophisticated weapons, NATO’s support for the country has increased. Stoltenberg’s visit to Kyiv highlights NATO’s commitment to Ukraine’s independence, and his attendance at a Ukraine Defense Contact Group meeting in Germany with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin underscores the alliance’s commitment to drumming up military support for the conflict-ravaged country.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine Space Agency reported that a bright flash of light in the night sky over the country on Wednesday was probably a meteorite entering the earth’s atmosphere. The flash of light, which lingered for a couple of seconds, was seen by residents of the capital and several cities in Belarus. An explosion was also heard in the Kyiv region, triggering an air raid alarm in Kyiv.