Ukraine to become NATO member when war ends

Ukraine is set to become a member of NATO.

Speaking to reporters, NATO's secretary general Jens Stoltenberg said all member nations had agreed to Ukraine joining once the war with Russia is over.

He said that Kyiv must have 'the deterrence to prevent new attacks'.

Stoltenberg's comments come just a day after he pledged to continue to support the country in its ongoing war with Russia.

"Let me be clear, Ukraine's rightful place is in the Euro-Atlantic family," he said.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Stoltenberg for his invitation to a NATO summit in July in Vilnius, Lithuania, but said his country needs a clear plan to becoming a member.

Associated Press/Alamy

“The time has come for the (alliance’s) leaders to define the prospects of Ukraine’s acquisition of Nato membership, to define the algorithm of Ukraine’s movement towards this goal, and to define security guarantees for our state for the period of such movement – that is, for the period before Nato membership,” he said.

Stoltenberg said he and Zelenskyy had discussed a NATO support programme.

“This will help you transition from Soviet-era equipment and doctrines to NATO standards and ensure full interoperability with the alliance,” Stoltenberg said.

“Nato stands with you today, tomorrow and for as long as it takes.”

The announcement comes over a year since Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine.

Thousands on both sides of the war have lost their lives as a result, with millions displaced, having been forced to leave their homes.

And recently, the Kremlin claimed to have captured two districts of the eastern city of Bakhmut, with the Russian Ministry of Defense saying that 'assault detachments' had captured two areas of the city.

The General Staff of Ukraine dismissed these claims, however, saying: "The enemy launched unsuccessful attacks in the vicinities of Khromove and Ivanivs’ke."

Ukrinform/Alamy

Following that, the UK's Ministry of Defence revealed that Putin's latest tactic of using Russian mines has led to 750 civilian casualties in Ukraine.

According to the latest intelligence update, Russian mines that were left in previously controlled areas have now killed many people.

Devastatingly, one in eight of the 750 dead were children.

The ministry wrote: "Mine-related civilian casualties continue to be reported daily in Ukraine. The most affected areas are Kherson and Kharkiv oblasts: areas Russia has previously occupied.

"With the arrival of spring, and more people involved in agricultural activities, the risk of civilian mine incidents will increase.

"Over 750 mine related casualties among civilians have been reported since the start of the invasion – one in eight has involved a child. It will likely take at least a decade to clear Ukraine of mines."