NATO will continue to stand with Ukraine as the country is entering the second winter of the Russian war, said US Secretary of State Antony Blinken at the Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of foreign ministers, as per Agence France-Presse.

At the meeting, NATO members made recommendations for Ukraine on military and political reforms on a path to membership in the Alliance.

Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba who joined the meeting said that Ukraine won’t “back down” in its fight against Russia, despite doubts over US support and minimal progress on the front line.

“We have to continue, we have to keep fighting. Ukraine is not going to back down,” the minister stressed.

According to him, Ukraine’s strategic goal, which is territorial integrity within internationally recognized borders as of 1991, remains unchanged.

Kuleba also said Kyiv hopes the US Congress will also find a solution to aid packages for Ukraine and Israel.

“Because you know, the best way to avoid sending your own soldiers into war is to help another country fight its own war,” he said. 

In addition, the foreign minister rejected all suggestions that Ukraine should have to exchange any of the territory occupied by Moscow to gain NATO membership.

During the meeting, NATO’s Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg warned Russia has built up a large stockpile of missiles and plans to use them to destroy Ukraine’s power and heating infrastructure in an attempt to leave the country in the dark and cold during the upcoming winter.

FT: Russia stockpiled missiles to strike Ukraine in winter, NATO warns

Stoltenberg’s remarks come after Russia launched its biggest drone attack of the war on November 25, targeting Kyiv’s energy infrastructure.

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