NATO Secretary General at the European Parliament, 27 SEP 2022, A/V (EN) "paradox" and "escalation" sermon, running time 00:16:16
aa.com.tr | Ukraine applies for NATO membership under accelerated procedure, 30 Sep

It was only minutes after Russian President Vladimir Putin signed documents on the establishment of four new regions in Russia that Zelensk* said "de facto Ukraine made its way" to the alliance.

"De facto, we have already made our way to NATO. De facto, we have already proven our compatibility with the Alliance's standards. They are real for Ukraine - real on the battlefield and in all aspects of our cooperation.

"We trust each other, we help each other, and we protect each other. This is the Alliance," the Ukrainian leader said on Telegram.

"De facto. Today, Ukraine is submitting an application to do this de jure. According to a procedure that will fit our goal to protect our entire community. In an expedited manner. We are taking our decisive step by signing Ukraine's application for accelerated membership in NATO," he wrote.

NATO (a/o 30.09.22) AL, ME*, MK*, TR*; EU: BE, BG, HR, CZ, DK, ES, EE, FR, DE, GR, HU, IT, LV, LA, LX, NL, PL, PT, RO, SI, SK; EEA: IS, NO; UK, US, CA
Telesur | US and NATO Commit to Ukrainian Territorial Integrity, 30 Sep

On Friday, White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Secretary Jens Stoltenberg expressed their "firm commitment" to "the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine." Their statements came after the ceremony by which President Vladimir Putin signed the accession treaties of the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporizh* regions to Russia.

During a phone conversation, Sullivan and Stoltenberg shared their concern about Russia's "illegitimate" attempts to annex territory from Ukraine through referendums. [...] The phone call coincides with the Ukrainian request to join NATO, which President Volodymyr Zelensk* made in response to the admission of the four regions to the Russian federation. ...

NATO | Press point with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 30 Sep "As delivered)" + Q&A

...This land grab is illegal and illegitimate. NATO Allies do not, and will not, recognise any of this territory as part of Russia. We call on all states to reject Russia's blatant attempts at territorial conquest.

These lands are Ukraine. Donetsk is Ukraine. Luhansk is Ukraine. Kherson is Ukraine. Zaporizhzh* is Ukraine. Just like Crimea is Ukraine.
[...]
NATO is not party to the conflict. But we provide support to Ukraine so it can uphold its right for self-defence, enshrined in the UN Charter. Ours is a defensive Alliance. We stand united and determined
to defend and protect every NATO Ally. And every inch of Allied territory....

whitehouse | Readout of National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's Call with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, 30 Sep IMDB loaded 5 Reqwiaments waiver
wc: 79