NATO notes the difficulty in implementing reforms in Ukraine amid Russia's aggression and stresses the importance of keeping in place sanctions against Russia.

We recognize that your work is even more difficult, because you are implementing reforms during the war. NATO condemns Russia's actions to occupy part of Ukraine's territory, and sanctions should remain in place as long as Russia continues to occupy Crimea, NATO Deputy Assistant Secretary General for Defense Investment Gordon Davis said at a seminar on the development of Ukraine's military and industrial sector in Kyiv on Thursday.

He added that NATO supports the Minsk agreements. Words on paper should be turned into reality, and a real truce should be secured, weapons withdrawn, area demined and access for international observers granted, Davis said.

According to him, the reform process may not look dynamic enough, but it creates conditions for changes for the better. He added that reforms in the defense sector also require changes in the economic sector, the fight against corruption and the rule of law.

Key points include building integrity, creating transparency and detecting corruption, the NATO representative said.