Nato chief visits Ukraine for first time since invasion, ahead of counteroffensive
- In an unannounced visit, Jens Stoltenberg laid a wreath and paid his respects to Ukrainian soldiers as the country prepares to launch a counteroffensive
- His trip came at a vital juncture in Russia’s invasion that has killed thousands, uprooted millions, destroyed cities and devastated Ukraine’s economy
Nato chief Jens Stoltenberg visited Kyiv on Thursday for the first time since Russia’s full-scale invasion, showing the military alliance’s support for Ukraine as it prepares to launch a counteroffensive.
Stoltenberg laid a wreathe to honour Ukrainian soldiers who have been killed fighting in the east of the country, and reviewed captured Russian armoured vehicles on the capital’s St Michael’s Square.
Ukrainian leaders and Nato officials did not immediately make any announcements about the trip. Wartime visits by foreign officials are often shrouded in secrecy but top leaders visiting Kyiv often hold talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Stoltenberg began his unannounced trip at a vital juncture in Russia’s almost 14-month-old invasion that has killed thousands, uprooted millions, destroyed cities and devastated the Ukrainian economy.
After weathering a Russian winter and spring offensive that has made only small advances in the east, Ukraine now hopes to retake land in its south and east in a counteroffensive in the coming weeks or months.