Ukraine's membership of NATO is "achievable", but Kyiv will have to fight to persuade allies to make it happen, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told Ukrainian diplomats in a speech on Sunday. Ukraine has repeatedly urged NATO to invite Kyiv to become a member.

Tensions along NATO's eastern flank are high because of the risks posed by Russian military actions near the borders of alliance member states.

Ukraine stepped up its efforts to join NATO after Russia invaded last year, arguing that the security assurances given by Moscow, Washington and London when it relinquished its nuclear arsenal to Russia in 1994 were clearly worthless.

"Most Europeans are herbivores, they think there is sufficient grass to feed from. This is not the case," said French Adm. Pierre Vandier.

VLADIMIR Putin launched a brutal missile and drone barrage on Ukraine, targeting key energy infrastructure and leaving millions in darkness during Christmas. NATO forces were put into action as

The funds will help upgrade Ukraine's air defenses, while also equipping the country with additional CV90 armored combat vehicles.

NATO’s secretary-general says he wants to discuss ways to put Ukraine in a position of strength for any future peace talks with Russia during a meeting Wednesday with Ukraine’s president and a small number of European leaders.

U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he had asked the Defense Department to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, after condemning Russia's Christmas Day attack on Ukraine's energy system and some of its cities.

Slovak President Peter Pellegrini discussed peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine in an interview on Sunday.

Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico has for the second time in as many months made comments against Ukraine joining NATO. He did, however, acknowledge that Russia's invasion had violated international law.

Ukraine's new state agency for nonlethal military procurement is an example of the type of reform that the country hopes will clear the path toward NATO.