The year 2023 is ending on an encouraging note for Ukraine, as the EU had made its historic decision to begin membership talks with Kyiv. At the same time, Ukraine has yet to receive even a conditional invitation to join NATO.
The NATO-Ukraine Council will hold an inaugural meeting at the chiefs of staff level as part of the North Atlantic Alliance's Military Committee session scheduled for Jan. 17-18, according to the alliance's website.
There is no Hungarian-Turkish deal with regards to the ratification of Sweden's bid for NATO membership as it will be up to Hungarian parliament to decide when to vote on this, Prime Minister Viktor Orban told a news briefing on Thursday. Orban said there was no great willingness among ruling party lawmakers in Budapest to approve Sweden's bid. Sweden's application has been held up by Turkey and Hungary's refusal to support it.