Stoltenberg began his unannounced visit at a turning point in Russia’s nearly 14-month-old invasion that has killed thousands, displaced millions, destroyed cities and devastated the Ukrainian economy.
After facing a Russian winter and spring offensive that has made only small advances in the east, Ukraine is now hoping to retake land to its south and east in the coming weeks or months.
A Reuters photographer said that after paying respects to Ukrainian soldiers, the NATO secretary general got into a car and left after the event.