When we see the war going on in Ukraine, it’s even more important that we work closely with partners as Georgia. Such a statement made today NATO Secretary General ahead of the EU Foreign Affairs Council in Defence format.

“We all welcome the progress that Ukrainian forces have made over the last days, in particular with the liberation of Kherson. This is due to the bravery, the courage of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

At the same time, I think it"s important too, that we do not make the mistake to underestimate Russia. Russia retains significant military capabilities, a high number of troops. We have seen that Russia is willing to suffer high casualties and also, we have seen the brutality, not least in the areas that have been liberated. How brutality has been exercised against civilians in in those territories.

So we need to continue to provide support to Ukraine for as long as it takes with capabilities but also with training.

We will have a foreign minister meeting in Bucharest at the end of this month. That will provide us with an opportunity to both express strong support to Ukraine to discuss how to step up and sustain support for Ukraine. It will also be an opportunity to take stock of the implementation of decisions made on strengthen NATO"s deterrence and defense, but also to meet with partners of course Georgia is an important partner. And especially now, when we see the war going on in Ukraine. It’s even more important that we work closely with partners as Georgia and that certainly will be one of the messages from the foreign minister meeting in in Bucharest”, - said Jens Stoltenberg.