He said this at a briefing following a meeting of NATO defense ministers.

"Our allies have strengthened, but Ukraine needs predictable assistance in a forward-looking future. Today, NATO defense chiefs agreed on a security plan for aid and exercises for Ukraine. Ukraine receives more than 99% of its military assistance from NATO allies. That is why it is critical that Kiev receives predictable assistance in the short and long term. Since the start of the Russian invasion, Ukraine has received more than $40 billion in aid from allies every year. We must do everything we can to ensure that this support remains at this level," Stoltenberg told us.

The secretary-general said NATO defense ministers have agreed on an innovation roadmap for Ukraine that includes the country joining the JATEC training center in Poland.

"If we are talking about credible long-term commitments for Ukraine, this shows the Kremlin that they will not be able to wait us out. All these initiatives bring Ukraine closer to NATO membership. Today it is very important that the Ukrainian army has moved to NATO standards. In particular, procurement and defense-industrial base. Today we have developed the first innovation roadmap for Ukraine. Ukraine will join the JATEC training center in Poland. Also, NATO defense leaders have developed an industrial pledge for Ukraine to underpin our long-term cooperation", he added.

• On June 13, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that Ukraine has the right to use Western weapons to strike Russian territory for self-defense.