NATO's doors remain open, but the priority in the case of Ukraine is to help the country maintain its independence.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said in an interview with "Süddeutsche Zeitung" newspaper published on Friday: "NATO's doors remain open. We have proven this by allowing Montenegro, North Macedonia, Finland and Sweden. Only Ukraine and 30 participating countries with membership should make a decision about it, no. someone else," he said.

However, the secretary general continued, there is an armed conflict in Ukraine, “everyone must understand that [NATO's] priority is support.

"Now the main task is to protect Ukraine as an independent state. The issue of NATO membership will be discussed later," NATO Secretary General stressed.

Stoltenberg once again declared that NATO is "not a party to the conflict".

"There are no NATO troops in Ukraine. However, we help it defend itself. This does not make us a party to the war, and we will not be involved in this conflict," he added, referring to the supply of weapons from the West.

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At the same time, the secretary general of the alliance said that the "defeat of freedom and democracy" will be a scenario in which NATO will "stand on the sidelines and do nothing."