German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said on Sunday that NATO member countries are ready to provide military assistance to Ukraine "as long as it needs to defend itself."

She added that NATO member countries are ready for Sweden and Finland to join the organization if they are ready.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on the same day told reporters virtually at an alliance meeting in Berlin that NATO will look at providing security guarantees for Finland and Sweden during the interim period from their application for membership to accession.

(With input from AFP)