By Muhammad Sohail 
The December meeting was the first under new Secretary General Mark Rutte. Politicians within the NATO-Ukraine Council discussed further support for the country, which has been resisting Russian aggression for almost three years. The informal dinner was attended by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Adrij Sybiha and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. ” Membership in NATO is the strongest security guarantee for Ukraine, and given the time, we must support Ukraine in all other ways: militarily, diplomatically and humanitarianly. It is in our own interest. It’s for the security of Europe, ” the head of Czech diplomacy said about the meeting between the alliance ministers and the Ukrainian counterpart.
On the second day of the meeting, politicians addressed strategic topics and tasks arising from the Washington summit. In addition to NATO’s approach to Russia and measures against hybrid threats, the Allies also discussed China’s support for Russian aggression and the Alliance’s priorities before the June summit in The Hague. ” I have been saying for a long time that NATO must fundamentally reevaluate its relationship with Russia. We must contain Russian influence militarily, diplomatically and economically. We also need to work on weakening Russia’s influence in international institutions, ” said Minister Lipavský.
As part of the southern neighborhood, King Abdullah II of Jordan discussed with NATO foreign ministers for the first time ever. His country has high-level relations with the North Atlantic Alliance and cooperates with it most intensively in the region. Minister Lipavský appreciated Jordan’s stabilizing role in the Middle East and welcomed the intention to open a NATO Liaison Office in Amman within the framework of the Italian Embassy.
On the sidelines of the ministerial meeting, Minister Lipavský met with his Polish counterpart, Radosław Sikorski. ” We talked about security. About what starting will mean for us the new US administration and how we can continue to work together. There are many such topics. “Meetings with Radek Sikorski are always pleasant, ” added Jan Lipavský.
