By Burc Eruygur
ISTANBUL (AA) - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy met Wednesday with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly meetings in New York, according to the Ukrainian presidency.
A statement said Zelenskyy commended the alliance’s long-term efforts to support Kyiv during Stoltenberg's tenure and expressed that he thinks it achieved many very important results.
“You – as well as some other allies – helped to unite the world, including defense ministers, in helping Ukraine, in strengthening our army,” Zelenskyy was quoted in the statement.
Zelenskyy also thanked Stoltenberg for the last two NATO summits, which he said have brought Kyiv closer to the alliance.
He underlined the importance of implementing agreements reached at the recent summit in Washington in July, particularly to fund at least €40 billion ($44,8 billion) in military aid to Ukraine in 2025, it said.
“Among the main topics of discussion were the need to enhance Ukraine's air defense, including the expedited delivery of additional systems, and the continued efforts on an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible,” the statement added.