NATO respects Ukraine's decision as regards relations with Alliance - Stoltenberg

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has said that he would respect any decision taken by Kyiv concerning the further relations with the Alliance.

"I respect decisions taken by Ukrainians. Ukraine decided some years ago to be a non-bloc nation. And I respected that. No, I've seen that the new government has announced that they will change that. And if they do, than of course I respect that too," he said at a press conference in Brussels on Monday.

If Kyiv decides to apply for NATO membership, the allies will have to assess if Ukraine fulfills the standards which is needed to become a member of the alliance, Stoltenberg said.