On July 9, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Taran held a phone conversation with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. The conversation took place on the 23rd anniversary of the Charter on a special partnership between NATO and Ukraine (signed on July 9,1997 in Madrid).
The Minister of Defense noted the irreversibility of implementing the state’s strategic course towards the acquisition of full membership of Ukraine in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. He expressed gratitude for NATO’s unwavering stance on the illegal annexation of Crimea and armed aggression of the Russian Federation in eastern Ukraine, as well as the recent decision of the North Atlantic Council to recognize Ukraine as an enhanced partner (Enhanced Opportunity Partner).
Taran emphasized that the new status of Ukraine will expand the opportunity for dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with allies, including the exchange of information, new posts for the Armed Forces personnel at the headquarters of the NATO military command structure, wider access to compatibility programs and exercises, including on the subject of Article 5 of the North Atlantic treaties that are open only to its member states and participants in this program.
The head of the defense department noted that in order to effectively use the strategic dialogue with the allies, it is necessary to restore regular meetings of the Ukraine-NATO commission at the ministerial level. He also assured that Ukraine, as a reliable partner of NATO, will continue to provide forces and resources for crisis management operations led by NATO and the NATO response force.
An important aspect of the conversation was the security situation in eastern Ukraine and in the Black Sea region. The parties agreed that the security situation in the Black Sea continues to deteriorate due to the fact that Russia is increasing (strengthening) its military presence and changing the balance of forces.
The parties agreed to strengthen the military presence on land, sea and in the airspace of the Black Sea region by increasing air patrols and the presence of naval ships of the Alliance member countries. The Minister of Defense of Ukraine expressed interest in establishing a joint exchange of information on the situation in the region and invited NATO member states to join the national strategic exercises scheduled to be held in southern Ukraine this fall.
The head of the defense department invited the NATO Secretary General to pay an official visit to Ukraine.
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