On 22-23 October 2013, Minister of Defence of Ukraine Pavlo Lebedev paid a working visit to NATO Headquarters in Brussels.

During the visit, Pavlo Lebedev took part in a meeting of the North Atlantic Council at the level of Defence Ministers with the Nations contributing to the International Security Force (ISAF) in Afghanistan. The meeting was chaired by NATO Secretary General Anders Fog Rasmussen.

In the course of the meeting the participants discussed the current situation in Afghanistan, including in the context of preparations for the presidential election in 2014, the progress in transferring responsibility for security in the country from ISAF to the Afghan National Security Forces and further strengthening of their capabilities. Besides, the Defence Ministers of ISAF contributing countries approved Strategic assessment of NATO's future Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, developed by NATO military command. They also reviewed the implementation of the UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security in NATO-led missions and operations. The Review of the Practical Implications of the UNSCR 1325 for the Conduc of NATO-led Operations and Missions has been published.

In his speech at the meeting, the Minister of Defense of Ukraine confirmed that Ukrainian personnel would continue its engagement in Afghanistan under the UN Security Council Resolutions and an agreement between NATO and the Afghan government.

In addition, during his visit to NATO Headquarters Minister Lebedev met with NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, Defence Minister of Poland Tomasz Siemoniak, Defence Minister of Lithuania Juozas Olekas, Defence Minister of Italy Mario Mauro, US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel, Defence Minister of Turkey Ismet Yilmaz, Defence Minister of Armenia Seyran Ohanyan and Defence Minister of Georgia Irakli Alasania.