Interfax-Ukraine
16:16 15.06.2016

Stoltenberg says NATO's assistant package for Ukraine doesn't include arms supply

2 min read
Stoltenberg says NATO's assistant package for Ukraine doesn't include arms supply

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has noted Ukraine's progress on the path of reforms and the assistance of the alliance in this matter.

"Ukraine is making progress when it comes to implementing reforms in the defense sector. And Minister Poltorak highlighted the importance of Ukraine's commitment to continue to implement reforms. We discussed different parts of different elements of the reform process related to the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As I mentioned one part of this is a democratic control and also the fight against the corruption. But they still have a long way to go. And that's exactly why we will continue to support them," Stoltenberg said following the meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Brussels on Wednesday.

The secretary general said that in the defense and security sector NATO allies are helping Ukraine in many different ways - through the use trust funds, through sending advisors and other bilateral mechanisms.

However, the Alliance does not provide weapons to Ukraine, Stoltenberg stressed.

"NATO does not sell weapons. NATO does not process weapons. So NATO is not in a position where we can supply weapons to Ukraine because we don't possess weapons. Different NATO allies may engage in different kinds of agreements with Ukraine. But I am not able to update you on all those different bilateral activities which are taking place," he said.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak for his part said that in connection with the continued Russian aggression, they needed to speed up the reforms in Ukraine.

"All the ministers who are present at the meeting have noted our progress in holding reforms… We need to speed up the reforms of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but time is short. And we have no right to mistake these reforms," he said.

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