British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, right, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy speak during their bilateral talks at the European Political Community (EPC) summit in Burboaka, near Chisinau, Moldova, June 1, 2023.
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British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said on Thursday that Ukraine’s “legal place” was within the NATO military alliance.
Sunak said he agreed with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg’s comments earlier Thursday that Ukraine was joining NATO.
“I agree with the NATO secretary general: Ukraine’s legitimate status in NATO,” Sunak told CNBC’s Sylvia Amaro.
Sunak said the allies were sending a “strong signal” to Russian President Vladimir Putin that they would maintain security arrangements in Ukraine for the long term.
“We want to make sure that there are long-term security arrangements in place for Ukraine so that we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we’re not going anywhere,” he said.
“We are here to stay and we will continue to support Ukraine, not just now, but for years to come.”
“NATO’s door is open to new members,” Stoltenberg said earlier Thursday ahead of a meeting of foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks at the London Defense Conference at King’s College in central London, May 23, 2023.
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Stoltenberg said all members agreed that Ukraine would be part of the alliance, but he gave no specific timetable for the expansion.
“All the allies also agree that Ukraine will be a member of the alliance, and all the allies agree that it is up to the NATO allies and Ukraine to decide when Ukraine will become a member of the alliance,” Stoltenberg said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met Sunak in Britain last month as part of a trip to Western allies to discuss further military support for Ukraine.
Following the talks, Britain agreed to send hundreds of anti-aircraft missiles and armed drones to Ukraine. It is in addition to the Storm Shadow cruise missile announced by the UK a week ago.
The new rules come as Ukraine continues to prepare for a much-anticipated counteroffensive against Russia.