BRUSSELS. June 1 (Interfax) - NATO should do more for Ukraine, although Kiev has already received unprecedented assistance from NATO countries, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.
"We are working on a multi-year package of support. With robust funding. This will ensure Ukraine's deterrence and defense for the longer-term, help rebuild its security and defense sector, and transition Ukraine from Soviet-era doctrines, equipment and training to full interoperability with NATO," Stoltenberg said at a Thursday press conference in Oslo after an informal meeting with the foreign ministers of the NATO countries.
The foreign ministers also discussed the transformation of the NATO-Ukraine Commission into the NATO-Ukraine Council. "This would be a significant step. To establish a joint consultative forum with Ukraine, sitting at the table as equals. To discuss key issues for our security," Stoltenberg said.
The meeting participants considered "Ukraine's membership aspirations." "All allies agree that NATO's door remains open. That it is only for allies and Ukraine to make decisions on membership," Stoltenberg said, adding that "all allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of NATO."
He emphasized the need for "credible arrangements in place to guarantee Ukraine's security in the future."
"We had a good discussion on all these issues. And I am confident that we will come to consensus by the summit in Vilnius," Stoltenberg said.
The NATO secretary general also pointed out his efforts aimed at the soonest possible completion of the process of Sweden's accession to NATO. He said he has recently discussed this issue with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and intends to visit Turkey in the near future.
Stoltenberg said the meeting was generally focused on preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, where a decision will be made on the alliance's further strengthening of deterrence and defense. New obligations on investment in defense will be approved on condition that two percent of the GDP will be regarded "as the minimum." The leaders of the NATO countries will discuss ways of deepening relations between the organization and its partners in the Asia-Pacific region.