On 16 September, Olha Stefanishyna, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration and Minister of Justice of Ukraine, visited NATO Headquarters in Brussels to meet with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The parties discussed the implementation of the decisions taken at NATO’s Washington Summit in support of Ukraine.

Olha Stefanishyna stressed the critical importance of strengthening Ukraine’s air defence system and providing additional systems, and in this regard raised the issue of the initiative to create a “humanitarian shield”, a security belt over the western regions of Ukraine.

The Deputy Prime Minister also stressed the need to accelerate the launch of the NSATU initiative, which would become an effective tool for coordinating security assistance to Ukraine.

The parties emphasised the importance of monitoring and coordinating financial contributions to support Ukraine as part of the Allies’ commitment to provide EUR 40 billion in assistance to Ukraine in 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister also met with NATO Acting Deputy Secretary General Boris Ruge, during which the parties discussed Ukraine’s implementation of security and defence sector reforms aimed at ensuring the interoperability of the Ukrainian armed forces with NATO forces.