Ukrainian govt to endorse NATO cooperation program aimed at preparing for membership - Yatseniuk

The Ukrainian Cabinet of ministers on Wednesday intends to endorse a program of cooperation with NATO for 2016, which is aimed primarily at preparing the country for membership of the alliance, Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

"The government will endorse a yearly national program of Ukraine's cooperation with NATO, and will pass a relevant [draft] presidential decree to the president for signature today," Yatseniuk said.

Ukraine's goal is to become a de facto NATO member, he said.

"This implies that the standards of the Ukrainian armed forces and all training programs conducted by the Ukrainian army will fully comply with the standards of NATO member-states," he said.

"I am convinced that the reform of the Ukrainian armed forces being carried out by the defense minister and the president will lead Ukraine to de jure and de facto membership of the alliance," Yatseniuk said.