UK, Italy, Poland, France, Germany announce intention to bring Ukraine closer to NATO

BERLIN, June 24. /TASS/. The heads of state and government of the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, Poland, and France (the E5) expressed their desire to deepen the partnership between NATO and Kiev with the aim of further bringing Ukraine closer to the alliance.

According to a joint statement, the E5 leaders "reiterate their commitment to deepening NATO’s partnership with Ukraine, bringing Ukraine closer to the Alliance and recognizing the vital contribution Ukraine makes to Euro-Atlantic security." The statement, adopted following talks among the E5 leaders in Berlin, was released by the press office of the German Federal Cabinet.

"They support pledges in military support at the NATO Summit and intensified co-operation with Ukraine through NATO initiatives, including JATEC and NSATU," the document points out.