Ukraine to receive NATO invitation when allies agree, conditions met: Stoltenberg

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

VILNIUS, Lithuania (AA) - The NATO chief on Tuesday said Ukraine will receive a membership invitation when allies agree and conditions are met.

Jens Stoltenberg's remarks came after a North Atlantic Council meeting, which kicked off the two-day NATO Summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius.​​​​​​​

"We will issue an invitation for Ukraine to join NATO when allies agree and conditions are met," Stoltenberg told a press briefing.

He said the allies removed the requirement of a membership action plan for Kyiv.

"This will change Ukraine's membership path from a two-step process to a one-step process," he added.

The NATO chief also announced a multi-year assistance program for Ukraine, and the NATO-Ukraine Council, whose inaugural meeting will be held on Wednesday with participation of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

This is a "strong" package to create "a clear path" towards Ukraine's membership to NATO, Stoltenberg said.

In a separate tweet, he said: "Allies took key decisions at a critical moment for our security. We agreed a package to strengthen #Ukraine & provide a clear path towards #NATO. We also approved our most comprehensive defence plans since the Cold War, backed by an enduring commitment to invest more in defence."

Earlier, before heading to Vilnius, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said it would be "absurd" if NATO leaders did not offer his country a timeframe for membership.​​​​​​​