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<\/p>\nAll NATO allies have now agreed that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance said the NATO chief in a crushing blow to Putin.<\/p>\n
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg reaffirmed today that Ukraine will join the alliance, but that the main focus right now is to ensure the country prevails against Russia.<\/p>\n
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Speaking ahead of a meeting of at Ramstein air base in Germany, he also told reporters that once the war in Ukraine ends, Kyiv must have "the deterrence to prevent new attacks".<\/p>\n
His statements come as Stoltenberg pledges continued support to the war-ravaged country during his first visit to Kyiv since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.<\/p>\n
On the visit to Kyiv, Stoltenberg said The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation would "ensure that Ukraine prevails" against Russia.<\/p>\n
"NATO stands with Ukraine today, tomorrow, and for as long as it takes," he declared.<\/p>\n
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"Let me be clear, Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," he said. <\/p>\n
"Ukraine's rightful place is in NATO."<\/p>\n
"Over time, our support will help you make this possible," the NATO leader added.<\/p>\n
At a NATO summit in July, Zelensky echoed the argument that it "could become historic" if Ukraine received a formal invitation to join.<\/p>\n
<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n "It is time to take the appropriate decision," Zelensky said during Stoltenberg's current visit to the capital.<\/p>\n Finland officially joined the treaty on April 4, which provoked desperate claims from Putin to ramp up it's forces on the Finnish border to "liberate" the Nordic country.<\/p>\n The long awaited admission came after both Finland and\u00a0Sweden\u00a0applied to join the alliance almost 12 months ago but were hampered by disagreements with Turkey.<\/p>\n The United States is hosting a meeting in Germany today to discuss further support for Ukraine after President Zelensky pushed Western allies to send more fighter jets and long-range missiles.<\/p>\n Representatives from around 50 countries will gather to coordinate their backing for Kyiv, as battles with Russia rage in the east of the country.<\/p>\n The Ukrainian president asked for NATO's help to "overcome the reluctance" of some member states in providing long-range rockets, modern fighter jets and armoured vehicles – needed ahead of rumoured approaching counteroffensive.<\/p>\n NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter jets to Ukraine, but no modern planes have been pledged despite Ukraine's requests.<\/p>\n Ukraine's Western supporters have also been reluctant to send long-range rockets because of concerns that Ukraine could use them to hit targets within Russia.<\/p>\n Earlier this week, Ukraine said it had received the first shipment of Patriots, seen as one of the most advanced US air defence systems.<\/p>\n The kit has been one of Kyiv's key asks from Western allies as it looks to defend itself from Russian missile attacks and roll back Moscow's invasion.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n The Sun is your go to destination for the best celebrity news, football news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.<\/p>\n Download our fantastic, new and improved free App for the best ever Sun Online experience. For iPhone click here, for Android click here.\u00a0<\/p>\n Like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com\/TheSun and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSun.<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.thesun.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/04\/billie-baby-comp.jpg\")
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