Vilnius summit to bring Ukraine closer to NATO: Stoltenberg

Secretary-General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg said on Friday that the NATO summit in Vilnius will bring Ukraine closer to the alliance, reported Xinhua, quoting the Ukrainian government-run Ukrinform news agency.

"I expect that our leaders will once again confirm that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and agree on how to bring Ukraine closer to achieving its goal," Stoltenberg said.

Stoltenberg voiced his belief that at the summit the allies will agree on a package with three elements for Ukraine.

The package will include providing a multi-year program of assistance for Ukraine, upgrading political ties through the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, and reaffirming that Ukraine will become a NATO member, he said.

NATO recognized Ukraine as its Enhanced Opportunities Partner in 2020.

The Vilnius NATO summit is slated for July 11-12 in Lithuania.