LONDON

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on Thursday said that he agrees with the NATO chief that Ukraine's “rightful place” is in NATO.

Sunak was speaking to the media at the 2nd European Political Community Summit in Bulboaca, Moldova.

He said that they are talking to Ukraine and “making sure that they have all the support they need for a successful counter-offensive."

He recalled that the UK provides longer-range weapons to Ukraine and it was the first country to provide main battle tanks to Kyiv.

"So that we send a very strong signal to (Russian President) Vladimir Putin that we're not going anywhere. We are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine, not just now but for years into the future,” Sunak said.

Later, British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly also wrote on Twitter that Ukraine’s “rightful place is in NATO."

Tackling illegal migration

Together with "Russian aggression here in Moldova or in Ukraine", Sunak said that tackling illegal migration is another major challenge.

Earlier, recalling UK's previous agreements with Albania, France, and the EU to address the illegal small boat crossings, Sunak said on Twitter that there is a need for global cooperation to stop the boats.

"This global issue requires collaboration and the UK is taking the lead," said Sunak whose government's top five priorities also include preventing illegal boat crossings via the English Channel.

More than 44,000 migrants arrived in the UK crossing the English Channel last year.

Meanwhile, Sunak, who is the first UK premier to visit Moldova, will announce a package of support for Moldova in the face of Russian threats, according to his office.

"As the first British Prime Minister to visit Moldova, I’m pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression. Moldova is not alone," he said on Twitter.

Moldova is hosting the second European Political Community Summit following the first meeting in Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, last October.

The previous summit involved leaders from the 27 EU member states, as well as Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Ukraine, and the UK.

Around 50 heads of state and government are participating in this year's event, which is taking place at the Mimi Castle in Bulboaca, a vineyard about 35 kilometers (21 miles) away from the capital Chisinau.

Next year, the EPC Summit will take place in the UK.