Ukrainians to decide on NATO membership at referendum – Poroshenko

11:15, 24.11.2015 1 min read

Ukrainian membership of NATO will be decided on at a referendum after the necessary defense sector reforms are carried out, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said in a response to an e-petition which was signed by more than 25,000 people.

"One of the main priorities of Ukraine's foreign policy is to deepen cooperation with NATO to meet the criteria of acquiring membership in this organization. Today, we are reforming the security and defense sector of Ukraine in accordance with NATO standards, in order to strengthen the country's defense [capability], which is necessary to counter Russian aggression. After Ukraine meets all the necessary criteria to join the alliance, the Ukrainian people will make the final decision on this critical issue at a referendum," Poroshenko said in a statement which was posted on his website on Monday.

The petition was filed on August 29.