On 07 and 08 February 2025, the Chair of the NATO Military Committee Admiral Cavo Dragone paid a visit to Ukraine. This is the first official foreign visit undertaken in the Chairman's new position. This visit underscores the NATO Military Authorities' unfettered support to Ukraine.
On Friday, 07 February 2025, Admiral Cavo Dragone visited a military hospital in Kyiv and met with Ukrainian soldiers injured on the front lines. He also met with the Chair of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Mr Ruslan Stefanchuk, as well as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr Andriy Sybiha.
On Saturday, 08 February, the Chairman held meetings with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the Chief of the Ukrainian Armed Forces, General Oleksandr Syrsky, and the Minister of Defence, Mr Rustem Umerov. He was accompanied in his engagements by Mr Patrick Turner, the Head of NATO's Representation in Ukraine. The Chairman also paid a visit to a Ukrainian weapons factory to review the capacities and characteristics of Ukraine's long-range weaponry.
Admiral Cavo Dragone underscored: "It is in the political and military interest of the Alliance to support Ukraine, not only now, but also in the future. You are fighting not only for your nation. You are fighting for your identity. NATO stands with you. Our support for your sovereignty and territorial integrity will remain unwavering;" "together, we can put Ukraine in the strongest possible position moving forward."
The Chairman also noted the creation of the NATO Special Mission for Security Assistance and Training for Ukraine (NSATU) and the establishment of the first-ever NATO-Ukraine Joint Center (JATEC), which aims to jointly identify and incorporate the lessons learned from Russia's brutal war of aggression. "These lessons will help shape our understanding of warfare. They will be woven into NATO strategy and policy and will bolster interoperability. Above all, they support Ukraine in winning the war and maintaining its sovereignty". The Chairman expressed that he was deeply impressed by the determination and energy of the Ukrainian people, and emphasised Ukraine's courageous and resilient spirit remains unbreakable.
