Within the framework of the meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of defense ministers of the alliance member countries, a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council began. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine is not present in the hall, but to address colleagues via video link.

Opening the meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said: “Good afternoon and welcome to this meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Defence Ministers. And a special welcome to Minister Umerov, who is joining us via VTC. It's great to see you there on the screen,” an Interfax-Ukraine agency's own correspondent reported.

Stoltenberg recalled that in February it will be two years since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. “Thanks to the extraordinary bravery and determination of your armed forces and the steadfast support of NATO Allies and partners, Ukraine remains an independent sovereign nation. Today, Minister Umerov will brief us on the situation on the ground in Ukraine. And we will discuss how to provide further support and bring Ukraine even closer to NATO membership,” the Secretary General announced the issues to be considered.

The Ukraine-NATO Council was established last July at the alliance summit in Vilnius and replaced the previously existing format of the Ukraine-NATO Commission.