With peace talks ongoing, the Secretary General also affirmed the importance of robust security guarantees for Ukraine, highlighting transatlantic pledges of assurance in the event of a deal. “You need to know that this peace will be lasting. Not because papers have been signed, but because there is hard power to back it up.”

🗣 | NATO Secretary General:

Deputy Chairman, dear Oleksandr, dear members of the Verkhovna Rada,

In the midst of this bitterly cold winter, I thank you for your warm welcome. It is a great honour to be here with you today. In this hallowed institution – the beating heart of Ukraine’s vibrant democracy.

The people of Ukraine have been fighting for that democracy, fiercely and firmly. And you, as their representatives, have ensured that their democracy continues to function, even amidst the daily bombardment this country has endured through four long years.

I will forever remember visiting Kharkiv in March 2024. There, I saw the brutality of war. Buildings completely destroyed, wounded soldiers in hospitals. And I stood at the monument to the young victims of Russian aggression and gave pause to honour the memory of so many children. Futures dashed, lives stolen before they could even begin. It moved me deeply then and it continues to move me now.

But, alongside that sombre reminder of loss, I also saw the incredible resilience of your people. Of lives being lived and futures being built. Children going to school in metro stations - eager to learn and teachers eager to teach - despite the disruption and destruction all around them.

I see that same spirit every time I visit Ukraine. The unflinching bravery of the people of this country and the determined hope that drives you forward.

So it is with the deepest respect that I stand before you today to affirm once again that NATO stands with Ukraine.

This was true before Russia’s full-scale invasion, this was true on the 24 February 2022 and it has been true every single day since.

Putin has long thought he could wait us out. That Ukraine was weak, that your supporters would grow weary, that our will would falter. He was gravely mistaken. Ukraine is strong and our support is unwavering.

I do recognise that a focus on other global events might have caused concern. Concern that our attention might be divided at a moment that you needed our support more acutely than ever. As the temperatures plummeted, attacks on your energy infrastructure intensified and the talks to bring this terrible war to a lasting end continued.

But I want to assure you that our attention has not been diverted. Ukraine is and will remain essential to our security, and our commitment to supporting Ukraine is steadfast.

Every day, we continue our close dialogue, including in the NATO-Ukraine Council. Every day, we are assisting, equipping and training the Ukrainian armed forces. So that you can defend today and deter any future aggression.

NSATU – the NATO Command in Germany – is coordinating the delivery of military assistance and training and working with Ukraine to ensure Allies know exactly what Ukraine needs, so that they can deliver the support.

Through the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List – or PURL – billions of dollars’ worth of critical US military hardware is flowing into Ukraine, paid for by Allies and partners.

Since we started PURL last summer, it has supplied around 75% of all missiles for Ukraine’s Patriot batteries and 90% of the missiles used in other air defence systems.

I know that more is urgently needed. And we are working to ensure that more comes quickly. Through PURL, and through every means possible.