Stoltenberg: full membership is not possible in the midst of a war, but we will continue to look into to address how we can move Ukraine and NATO even closer together

All NATO allies agree that full membership is not possible in the midst of war. But as we prepare for the Washington Summit, we will continue to look for ways to bring Ukraine and NATO closer together, in addition to the important decisions of this year's summit in Vilnius. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference on the eve of the meeting of NATO foreign ministers on November 28-29 in Brussels, UNN reports .  

It's too early to say exactly what will be the session at the Washington Summit. All Allies agree that in the midst of a war full membership is not possible. But of course, we will continue to look into to address how we can move Ukraine and NATO even closer together as we prepare for the Washington Summit. What decision we make there has to be addressed at a later stage when we are closer to the summit, 

Details

At the same time, the Secretary General emphasized that NATO allies are following and implementing the decisions we made on Ukraine and NATO membership at our summit in Vilnius in July this year. And he reminded that three decisions were made, which he called important. 

First, he said, Ukraine's path to membership was shortened from a two-step process to a one-step process, eliminating the requirement for a Membership Action Plan.

Secondly, the NATO-Ukraine Council was created, "which is an important body where Ukraine and all NATO allies meet at the same table with the same rights and the same responsibilities, and this is where we can make decisions together." "So, it will certainly bring Ukraine much closer to NATO," he said.

"Thirdly, we have agreed on a comprehensive and meaningful program to ensure full interoperability between Ukrainian forces and NATO forces. This, of course, will also help them to come closer to us, as they will be better able to operate together with NATO forces and the Allies are pushing for this. In addition, of course, the fact that NATO allies are supplying F-16s and battle tanks, artillery, training - all of this is very practical in helping Ukraine to get closer to NATO because they are increasingly capable. to operate and work together with NATO soldiers and to be based on NATO doctrines and training procedures," he said.

To recap,

NATO will discuss Russia's actions and is going to agree on recommendations for reforms in Ukraine on the way to membership.