On 2 April,  the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Foreign Ministers decided to deepen their partnerships with Georgia and Ukraine, reported georgiatoday. 

“The package we agreed for Georgia and Ukraine is about exercises; it's about participation in different programs, training and also educational programs provided by NATO. It shows that we step-by-step are doing more together, and step-by-step NATO provides more support and help,” said NATO’s Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, adding that the package is “about access to more NATO educational programs” for the two countries. He further noted that strengthening the partnership also includes working together against hybrid threats and sharing air traffic data to make the airspace safer for everyone. 

The three main aspects of the enhanced cooperation include exercises with the Georgian and Ukrainian forces; strengthening NATO’s presence in the region; and support for Georgia’s and Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. 

The United States Mission to NATO said they support the eventual NATO membership of Georgia and Ukraine. “The United States and NATO Allies remain committed to security and stability in the Black Sea region and our support for the eventual NATO accession of Georgia and Ukraine remains unchanged,” US Mission to NATO representatives stated.   

The Georgian Foreign Ministry released a statement, welcoming NATO’s commitment to Georgia’s Euro-Atlantic integration and deepening its cooperation with the country. “Further deepening our unique cooperation and enhancing interoperability with NATO as a result of a decision taken today,” tweeted Georgia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs David Zalkaliani in response to the decision.