The annual national programs "Ukraine-NATO" carried out by Ukraine actually correspond to the format of the Membership Action Plan (MAP) in the Alliance, Deputy Head of the President's Office of Ukraine Ihor Zhovkva said.

"It is such a procedure now. But, once again I urge everyone not to focus on these three magic letters. I will reveal a big secret: the Ukraine-NATO annual national programs, we are carrying out, in particular this year, and already, by the way, we are preparing the program for 2021, in fact, it is in the MAP format. If you read them, then these are the same annual national programs that countries performed in the MAP implementation formats. In the absence of these magic three letters, we do everything in the practical sense of the word," Zhovkva said in an interview with TSN.

According to him, such precedents existed until 1999, when countries joined NATO without the MAP. In addition, at the Alliance summit in the autumn, a decision may be made to abolish the MAP institute, and, accordingly, then it will not be needed for admission.

Zhovkva said the reform of the Armed Force of Ukraine, the security sector continues, the compatibility of units is taking place, Ukraine's participation in all peacekeeping missions of the Alliance, and Ukraine joined NATO's expanded capabilities partnership in 2020.

"This gives us many new opportunities to approach NATO standards even closer. Therefore, Ukraine initiated its vision of a partnership of expanded opportunities. We will try to quickly get a response and start practical implementation. This is more important, and the MAP will come," the deputy head of the President's Office said.