The NATO Military Committee, led by Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone, arrived in Kyiv on October 7 for its first official visit in eight years. The delegation was invited by Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Mykhailo Drapatyi.
The visit was reported by ANSA.
The delegation includes military representatives from all 32 NATO member states.
“After an eight-year break, the NATO Military Committee has returned to Kyiv for an official visit. Although we have not been physically present here, Ukraine remains at the centre of our thoughts, discussions, decisions and further actions every day,” NATO Military Committee Chair Cavo Dragone said in a video address published by Ukrinform.
According to Cavo Dragone, the visit fulfils a promise he made to Ukrainian Commander-in-Chief Mykhailo Drapatyi during their conversation in August. He also described the trip as a continuation of the North Atlantic Council’s visit to Kyiv in June.
“We are here in full force and with a clear message. The bond between NATO and Ukraine is growing stronger,” Cavo Dragone said.
He said military representatives from all 32 NATO member states had travelled to Kyiv to hear directly from Drapatyi and his staff their latest assessment of the battlefield situation and to discuss what more the Alliance could do to support Ukraine.
Cavo Dragone also said the experience of Ukrainian commanders was helping NATO prepare more effectively for current and future threats.
The Military Committee chair separately addressed those who, in his words, believe sabotage, cyberattacks and airspace violations could undermine support for Ukraine.
“You will fail. NATO’s support for Ukraine continues to grow, and our unity is stronger than ever,” he said.
Cavo Dragone added that the allies would continue improving their tools and strengthening all elements of NATO’s deterrence and defence posture.
Background. The Military Committee is NATO’s key military body. It advises the North Atlantic Council, the Defence Planning Committee and the Nuclear Planning Group. Its main role is to provide NATO’s political leadership with military assessments and recommendations on defence policy and strategy.
The previous visit by the NATO Military Committee in full composition to Ukraine took place on April 18–19, 2018. At the time, military representatives from all 29 NATO member states travelled to Lviv, visited the Yavoriv training area and held a joint NATO-Ukraine Military Committee meeting.
