The NATO-Ukraine Commission held a virtual meeting on Thursday (25 May 2023) with Yuliia Svyrydenko, First Deputy Prime Minister and Economy Minister of Ukraine. Participants discussed Ukraine's needs and reconstruction plans, at a critical phase in Ukraine's fight against Russia's full-fledged invasion and with the NATO Summit in Vilnius in just over six weeks.
The NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană recalled the significant support provided by NATO Allies to Ukraine, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and stressed NATO's commitment to support Ukraine for as long as it takes. He emphasised NATO's active role in assisting Ukraine for the transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards, and increasing interoperability with NATO, as well as assisting Ukraine in coping with the physical and social consequences of war. Under the Comprehensive Assistance Package agreed at the Madrid Summit last year, NATO is already active in areas such as psychological rehabilitation and the reform of the defence procurement system, as well as in humanitarian demining projects. The Deputy Secretary General stressed that today's meeting will help NATO align practical support even more closely with Ukraine's needs.
