Category: Defense

Media advisory

+/- 15:15 (CEST) Speech by the NATO Deputy Secretary General

Media Coverage

A transcript of the Deputy Secretary General’s remarks will be available on the NATO website.

For more information:
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Dear Mr President, dear Volodymyr,
Thank you for what is always a warm welcome to Ukraine.
It is good to be here with you in country. 
And good to be with you again following a very important meeting in Washington earlier this week. 

Three and a half years after Russia’s full-scale invasion, Ukraine continues to stand strong.
And your friends and partners in NATO continue to stand with you. 
Our support is unwavering and continues to grow. Including, as you said, through the new Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List – PURL – that supports a crucial flow of lethal US weapons to Ukraine through funding provided by NATO Allies. 
In less than one month indeed, this has already meant an additional $1.5 billion of essential equipment. 
Air defence. Ammunition. And more.
Further packages will follow. 

Allies are supporting your defence industry – investing in ways that not only boost your security but also bolster your economy. I have witnessed the innovation that Ukraine brings to the table with drones. Allies can learn a lot from Ukraine. And I listened carefully also to what you said about the need for more investments here.
We are working together in NSATU, the NATO command in Germany – to ensure your fighting forces have what they need both today but also into the future.
We are working together in our Joint Assessment, Training, and Education Centre in Poland, through the NATO office here in Kyiv, through the NATO-Ukraine Council. The list goes on.
We are together because we share common values – freedom, democracy, and the rule of law.
We are together because we share common cause in preserving the sovereignty and independence of Ukraine.
Our security is interlinked.

Dear Volodymyr, your country has been actively defending freedom for three and a half years. 
Your people have seen terrible horrors and endured so many sleepless nights as Russia has continued to bombard homes and hospitals. Industry and infrastructure.
Ukrainian soldiers are fighting bravely. They have pushed back and held back the Russian invasion.
We support you and salute you.
And we stand with you in the push for a just and lasting peace.

Indeed, we were together in Washington on Monday – along with the US President and so many European leaders – to seize the opportunity to end this horrible war and bring peace and security after so much suffering.
President Trump has made this a priority – not only breaking the deadlock with Putin but making clear that the United States will be involved in providing security guarantees for Ukraine.  

Robust security guarantees will be essential – and this is what we are now working to define. 
So that when the time comes for you to enter that bilateral meeting – you have the unmistakable force of Ukraine’s friends behind you. Ensuring that Russia will uphold any deal. And will never, ever again attempt to take one square kilometre of Ukraine.

Mr President, dear Volodymyr,
I commend your courage and your personal leadership.
As well as the fortitude of the Ukrainian people.
And as you prepare to mark this great country’s Independence Day, know that NATO continues to stand with Ukraine. 
Thank you once again.
Slava Ukraini.