Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy told NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg during a telephone call on July 4 that he looks forward to "continuing our fruitful cooperation" after Stoltenberg's contract to lead the military alliance was extended by one year.
Zelenskiy congratulated Stoltenberg and thanked him for his "constant personal efforts to support Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic aspirations," according to the presidential press service. Zelenskiy also emphasized that "now is the time for powerful decisions and concrete steps in this direction."
The press service added that the two leaders also discussed the situation at the front and "the latest events inside Russia" during the call, which came as they coordinated positions before next week's NATO summit in Vilnius.
Stoltenberg commented on the conversation in a tweet. "A very good conversation with President Zelenskiy about the latest events in Ukraine and our preparations for the NATO summit. In Vilnius, the members of the Alliance will make decisions on strengthening long-term support, improving our political ties and bringing Ukraine closer to NATO," he wrote.
NATO announced earlier on July 4 that Stoltenberg’s contract will be extended by another year as the military alliance opted to stick with an experienced leader as war rages in Ukraine rather than try to agree on a successor.
Stoltenberg, a former prime minister of Norway, has been the transatlantic alliance’s civilian leader since 2014, and his tenure had already been extended three times before the latest decision to keep him.
"Honoured by NATO allies' decision to extend my term as secretary general until 1 October 2024," Stoltenberg, 64, said in a statement. "In a more dangerous world, our alliance is more important than ever."
The extension will see Stoltenberg remain in charge during next year's summit in Washington marking the 75th anniversary of NATO's founding.
U.S. President Joe Biden and leaders of other NATO nations also hailed the decision to extend Stoltenberg as the alliance’s chief.
"With his steady leadership, experience, and judgment, Secretary General Stoltenberg has brought our Alliance through the most significant challenges in European security since World War II," Biden said in a statement.