Deputy PM for Euro-Atlantic Integration backs stepping up NATO and Ukraine cooperation

Ukrainian Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze has said that NATO should step up cooperation with Ukraine.

The answer the question what NATO can do is to remain with Ukraine, involve it in all possible spheres of cooperation, maybe, offer a Transatlantic partnership plus formula when all possible cooperation will be without formal membership until Ukraine meets all standards, she said at the Warsaw Summit Experts' Forum NATO in Defence of Peace: 2016 and Beyond on Saturday.

She backed the prospect of Ukraine's membership. This will help to maintain security in the region, she said.

She said that the situation in the eastern part of Ukraine remains complicated.

Around 90,000 military servicemen are staying along Ukrainian borders on the territory of Russia. Some 42,000-43,000 armed persons, including around 6,500 of Russian troops, are staying on the territory of the occupied Donbas, she said.

In this situation Ukraine and NATO should remain strong and united, she said.