Ukraine's NATO membership to be assessed based on Ukraine's progress in defense reform

11:41, 14.02.2018 1 min read

The issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO will be considered following the results of the country's reform in the defense sector, Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Jens Stoltenberg has said.

"And the focus now is on reforms. And I welcome that Ukraine has so clearly stated that their focus now is on reform, and then based on the progress they're making on reform, then of course the issue of membership will be assessed based on the progress Ukraine is making," he said a press conference in Brussels on Wednesday.

The secretary general said that NATO and Ukraine have "a very strong partnership."

"And NATO provides strong political support, strong practical support to Ukraine. And NATO Allies also provide support on a bilateral basis. And we encourage and we welcome all that. So we'll continue to strengthen our partnership, we'll continue to work with Ukraine," Stoltenberg said.