Stoltenberg participated in a joint session of the European Parliament's Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE), where he discussed the current state of affairs and emphasized the importance of supporting Ukraine.

Highlighting the positive developments in NATO-EU collaboration, Stoltenberg stressed the need for continued support to Ukraine in its struggle against Russian aggression. He noted that Ukrainian forces were making significant progress in their counteroffensive, stating, "They have been able to breach the defensive lines of the Russian forces, and they are moving forward."

Acknowledging Ukraine's resilience, Stoltenberg remarked, "The Russian army used to be the second strongest in the world; and now the Russian army is the second strongest in Ukraine… Ukrainians are actually exceeding expectations again and again. Our responsibility is to support them."

He underscored that supporting Ukraine was not a mere option but a necessity to safeguard peace and prevent authoritarian regimes from violating international law and employing military force.

Stoltenberg also condemned Russia's decision to withdraw from the Black Sea grain deal and its deliberate efforts to hinder Ukraine's agricultural exports. "We welcome the efforts by Türkiye to re-establish the grain deal," Stoltenberg stated, emphasizing that the best way to ensure the safe and secure shipment of grain from Ukraine was for Russia to end its conflict.

Addressing the NATO-EU relationship, Stoltenberg welcomed the deepening cooperation in various domains, including cyber, space, critical infrastructure, military mobility, stability in the Western Balkans, and maritime security.

"I believe in NATO-EU cooperation because we share the same values and face the same challenges. We are two different organizations, but we have a lot in common," he concluded.

As international tensions persist, Stoltenberg's remarks underscore the urgency of supporting Ukraine and the importance of diplomatic efforts to resolve conflicts in the region. The situation remains fluid, and global leaders continue to monitor developments closely. (ILKHA)