NATO chief in Kyiv for first time since Russian invasion

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (left) and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, after a press conference in Kyiv. Pic/AP

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg is visiting Ukraine for the first time since Russia launched its full-scale invasion more than a year ago, an alliance official said Thursday.

"The NATO secretary-general is in Ukraine. We will release more information as soon as possible," said an alliance official, who asked not to be identified in line with NATO procedures. Pictures of Stoltenberg apparently paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv's St Michael's Square were published by local media.

Apart from the important symbolism of the visit, the exact purpose of Stoltenberg's trip wasn't immediately clear. NATO has no official presence in Ukraine. As an organization of 31 countries, it only provides nonlethal support - generators, medical equipment, tents, military uniforms and other supplies - to the government in Kyiv.

Stoltenberg has been the strong voice of the alliance throughout the war and has been instrumental in garnering support by the 31 members for Ukraine as the country sought to hold on to its territory.

This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever