Reference News Network December 30 report: According to TASS, on December 29, the Ukrainian General Staff stated that Ukraine has participated in the NATO "Loyal Dragon" exercise for the 2025 annual cycle for the first time. This is a collective security mechanism drill conducted according to Article 5 of NATO (the collective defense clause).
The Ukrainian General Staff said on the Telegram platform: "Ukrainian representatives have participated in the NATO collective security mechanism drills for the first time."
It said that about 1,500 civilian and military experts participated in this exercise, which was held in various locations across Europe.
The report said that Article 5 of NATO, signed in Washington in 1949, established the principle of collective defense within NATO. The clause states that if one NATO member state is attacked, all NATO member states are obligated to respond.
Kyiv has repeatedly expressed its desire to become a NATO member as soon as possible. In September 2022, Ukraine submitted an application for fast-track membership in NATO. Moscow has consistently opposed Kyiv's accession to NATO. (Translated by Zhu Jie)
Original: toutiao.com/article/7589650624653017634/
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