Turner says NATO aims to strengthen Ukraine’s battlefield capabilities

Patrick Turner, Head of the NATO Representation in Ukraine, said this at a roundtable discussion hosted by Ukrinform, titled "Ukraine – NATO 2024: From Strengthening Partnership to Finding Ways to Security."

Turner explained that at the Washington Summit in July, NATO had pledged to provide Ukraine with over $40 billion in security assistance for 2024. He noted that nearly EUR 21 billion had already been delivered in the first half of the year, and efforts were being made to ensure that all promised contributions would be fulfilled by year's end. He emphasized that NATO's focus in Ukraine was to provide the necessary support and deliver on its commitments. Turner stressed that NATO sought to position Ukraine as strongly as possible on the battlefield, enhancing both its defensive and offensive capabilities with the apprriate systems.

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He added that the NATO Representation in Ukraine would also help build relations between NATO and Ukraine on the country's path to membership.

Turner acknowledged that the issue of membership was crucial for Ukraine and pointed out that, during the Washington summit, it had been reaffirmed that Ukraine was on an irreversible path to NATO membership. He noted that all NATO Allies had agreed on Ukraine's future within the Alliance. According to Turner, work was underway to ensure Ukraine's membership, and NATO aimed to make Ukraine stronger, more compatible with NATO forces, and better prepared to integrate into the Alliance structure.

In this context, he praised the reforms Ukraine had already implemented in areas such as democratization, the economy, and security. He expressed satisfaction with Ukraine's continued commitment to these reforms, despite the ongoing war.