#Breaking: #Statement by the #NATO-#Ukraine Council at the level of Foreign Ministers

issued following its meeting held in Brussels on 29th November 2023

The NATO Invitee associates itself with this Statement.

1. The NATO-Ukraine Council (NUC) met today for the first time at the level of Foreign Ministers, as Russia continues its brutal war of aggression, to act together to further deepen the NATO-Ukraine relationship. Allies remain steadfast in their commitment to further step up political and practical support to Ukraine as it continues to defend its independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders, and will continue their support for as long as it takes. A strong, independent Ukraine is vital for the stability of the Euro-Atlantic area.
2. Ministers took stock of the implementation of the expanded package of political and practical support to Ukraine agreed at the Vilnius Summit. Ministers endorsed the NUC substructure and an ambitious work programme for 2024. In this context, NATO and Ukraine are already working and taking decisions together, as equals, on a broad range of issues, including interoperability, energy security, innovation, cyber defence, and resilience. We will further develop these work strands. The NUC has also proven to be a reliable crisis consultation mechanism. NATO continues to provide Ukraine with urgently needed non-lethal assistance. Together we are transforming the Comprehensive Assistance Package into a multi-year programme to help rebuild the Ukrainian security and defence sector and to support Ukraine’s deterrence and defence in the long term. As part of these efforts, we are developing a roadmap for Ukraine’s transition to full interoperability with NATO. We are also developing new projects on humanitarian demining, medical rehabilitation for wounded Ukrainian soldiers, and Ukraine’s defence industrial capacity on the basis of the strategic defence procurement review.
3. Ukraine reaffirmed its commitment to continued democratic and security sector reforms. Allies have provided Ukraine with recommendations for priority reforms. The NATO-Ukraine Council welcomes Ukraine’s presentation of its adapted Annual National Programme for 2024 and looks forward to its implementation. NATO Foreign Ministers will regularly assess progress through the adapted Annual National Programme. The Alliance will support Ukraine in making these reforms on its path towards future membership in NATO.