BRUSSELS. May 31 (Interfax) - NATO member states agree that Ukraine should join the alliance and are working to bring it closer to membership, while the summit in Washington may become another stage in this process, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said.
"I hope that at summit in Washington we can take further steps. I also believe strongly that we will establish a mission providing stronger support for Ukraine that will help move Ukraine closer to membership," Stoltenberg said at a press conference in Prague on Friday after an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers.
Everything NATO is doing together with Ukraine brings it closer to membership, he said.
"Allies agreed that Ukraine should be a member but the timing of the invitation depends on when there will be a consensus ad when the conditions are met," Stoltenberg said.
The NATO summit in Washington is planned for July 9-11.