NATO Chief received Kyiv's application for membership in alliance: Ukrainian official

North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has "officially" received Ukraine's application for becoming part of military alliance under accelerated procedure through diplomatic means, a Ukrainian official said. Ihor Zhovkva, Deputy He of Ukraine President's Office, informed that Ukraine's application is signed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal and Chairman of Ukrainian Parliament, Verkhovna Ra Ruslan Stefanchuk. Ukrainska Pravda reported. Notably, Ukraine submitted an application for NATO membership after Russia announced annexation of Moscow-occupied Ukrainian territories. 

Ihor Zhovkva underscored that next stage in NATO membership bid involves discussion at level of North Atlantic Council. According to him, discussion will take place at level of ambassors of NATO member states in Brussels. He underscored that Ukrainian side sought membership in NATO under "accelerated process" without membership action plan. Zhovkva stressed that membership action plan "has been one of mandatory elements" in NATO membership, as per news report. According to him, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and diplomatic service were carrying out negotiations with NATO nations regarding application of Ukraine to acquire membership in military alliance.

"As of today, NATO Secretary General has officially received this application by Note from Ukraine. next stage is going to be its discussion at level of North Atlantic Council; that is, at level of Ambassors of NATO countries in Brussels," Ukrainska Pravda quoted Ihor Zhovkva as saying.

Zelenskyy announces seeking NATO membership under 'accelerated procedure'

On 30 September, Zelenskyy announced that y are signing Ukraine's application for "accelerated accession" to NATO. In his remarks, embattled President said, "De facto, we have alrey proven interoperability with Alliance’s standards, y are real for Ukraine - real on battlefield and in all aspects of our interaction." He said that Ukraine is applying for NATO membership under an "accelerated procedure." He me announcement after Russian President Vlimir Putin announced annexation of four Moscow-occupied regions of Ukraine. 

Nine NATO members seek support for Ukraine

On October 2, hes of nine European NATO members issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine's NATO bid. Notably, a country requires approval from all 30 members of military alliance to become part of NATO. In statement, leers of Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia issued a statement saying: "We do not recognize and will never recognize Russian attempts to annex any Ukrainian territory. We firmly stand behind 2008 Bucharest NATO Summit decision concerning Ukraine’s future membership."

presidents of Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia furr stated that y support Ukraine in its defence against Russia and called on Moscow to withdraw from occupied parts of Ukraine. leers furr said, "We support Ukraine in its defence against Russia's invasion, demand Russia to immediately withdraw from all occupied territories and encourage all Allies to substantially increase ir military aid to Ukraine. All those who commit crimes of aggression must be held accountable and brought to justice."