NATO Chief Talks Up Support, Zelenskyy Calls For Decision On Membership

Comments from President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg hit wires following the latter's visit to Kyiv. Stoltenberg: "Ukraine's rightful place is in the euro-Atlantic family. NATO stands with Ukraine today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes'. States that 'NATO membership and security guarantees for Ukraine will be high on the agenda of NATO summit in July.'

• Zelenskyy: 'Ukraine sees Stoltenberg visit as a sign of alliance's readiness to open new, ambitious champter in relations. Says he and Stoltenberg discussed meeting of Ukraine Contact Group on 21 April, says that he urged NATO head to help overcome the 'restraint' of some members in supplying modern airplanes, long-range weapons, artillery, and armour. 'The holdup of those supplies is costing lives of Ukrainian soldiers.'
• Zelenskyy: NATO summit in Vilnius could be 'historic'. After his invite to attend, asks that his country 'receives corresponding invitation' to join NATO.
• Zelenskyy: 'There is not objective reason not to take political decision to invite Ukraine into NATO...Ukraine wants to understand when it will be a member...Ukraine also wants security guarantees while it is on path to NATO membership...Ukraine will one day be in the NATO alliance.'
• Earlier in April theFT reportedthat the US pushed back against a 'road map' for Ukrainian membership, saying that focus needed to remain on the ongoing fight against the Russian invasion. While Russia hawks in CEE have made more overt calls for something to be offered to Ukraine, without US approval any notable movement is unlikely.