This aggression gravely undermines international security and stability, and is a blatant violation of international law. NATO condemns Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine in the strongest possible terms.

NATO has increased its presence in the Black Sea and stepped up maritime cooperation with Ukraine and Georgia. They have equally condemned Russia's continued aggression and destabilising activities in eastern Ukraine and the Black Sea region since 2014. The Allies condemn and will not recognise Russia's illegal and illegitimate annexation of Crimea. Since Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea and the beginning of its aggression in eastern Ukraine in 2014, NATO has reinforced its support for capability development and capacity-building in Ukraine.In September 2020, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy approved Ukraine's new National Security Strategy, which provides for the development of the distinctive partnership with NATO with the aim of membership in NATO.In 2019, a corresponding amendment to Ukraine's Constitution entered into force. In June 2017, the Ukrainian Parliament adopted legislation reinstating membership in NATO as a strategic foreign and security policy objective.Since the NATO Summit in Warsaw in July 2016, NATO's practical support for Ukraine is set out in the Comprehensive Assistance Package (CAP) for Ukraine.Priority is given to support for comprehensive reform in the security and defence sector, which is vital for Ukraine's democratic development and for strengthening its ability to defend itself.Cooperation has deepened over time and is mutually beneficial, with Ukraine actively contributing to NATO-led operations and missions.Since 2009, the NUC has overseen Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration process, including reforms under the Annual National Programme (ANP).Relations were strengthened with the signing of the 1997 Charter on a Distinctive Partnership, which established the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC) to take cooperation forward.Dialogue and cooperation started when newly independent Ukraine joined the North Atlantic Cooperation Council (1991) and the Partnership for Peace programme (1994).

Population in ukraine 2020