The NATO summit, which begins, later Tuesday at the Lithuanian capital Vilnius will send a message of support to Ukraine, said NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

Allies will also send a clear message that "we stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes," and upgrade political ties with Kyiv, including at the inaugural meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, he said in press statements ahead of the 2-day meeting.

He again welcomed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's agreement last night to forward the accession protocol for Sweden to the Grand National Assembly as soon as possible, calling this an historic decision, which is "good for Sweden, good for Turkiye, and good for the whole Alliance." Stoltenberg underlined that NATO leaders will take decisions to reinforce deterrence and defense, and agree a more ambitious defense investment pledge.

The NATO chief welcomed leaders of the 31-member western military alliance will be joined by the leaders of Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea, underscoring that security is not regional, but global.

Source: Kuwait News Agency