Nato secretary-general Jens Stoltenberg has paid his first visit to Kyiv since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine 14 months ago to show support for the invaded country as it prepares to launch a counteroffensive.
Pictures of Mr Stoltenberg apparently paying tribute to fallen Ukrainian soldiers in Kyiv’s St Michael’s Square were published by local media.
Mr Stoltenberg paid respects to Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed fighting in the war, and reviewed a display of damaged Russian military equipment, according to a photographer for new agency Reuters.
Nato has remained tight-lipped over the chief’s visit, with an official on Thursday saying only: “The Nato secretary general is in Ukraine. We will release more information as soon as possible.”
Mr Stoltenberg had been to Kyiv before the war, but this is his first visit during the hostilities and underscores the longstanding commitments of Nato in defence of Ukraine’s independence.
The alliance has supported Ukraine since Russia invaded on Febuary 24 last year, with member states sending weapons but not fighting troops.
The war has seen thousands of people killed and millions uprooted, while cities have been destroyed and the Ukrainian economy left devastated.
Ukraine sees its future in Nato alliance and last September announced a bid for fast-track membership after the Kremlin said it had have annexed four Ukrainian regions that its troops have partially occupied.
Meanwhile Moscow regards Nato as a hostile military alliance bent on encroaching on what it sees as its sphere of influence. Ukraine gained independence from the Russia-led Soviet Union in 1991.
