Zelensy says Ukraine’s NATO membership will stop war in Donbass

Kiev mistakenly believes that Western partners will fight for Ukraine’s interests, but the Alliance itself is in no hurry to invite Ukraine to join

Censor.net quoted the press service of the presidential office as saying that President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg the escalating security situation in Donbass.

The Ukrainian head of state noted that in relations with NATO, the most pressing issue for Ukraine is the possibility of obtaining a Membership Action Plan for the Alliance.

“We are committed to reforming our army and defence sector, but reforms alone will not stop Russia. NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbas. The MAP will be a real signal to Russia”, –  Zelensky said.

At the same time, the head of the NATO mission to Ukraine, Oleksandr Vinnikov, said that before dreaming of membership in the Alliance, Ukraine must be ready for it, which means a set of deep and systematic reforms.

“The allies stand on the fact that Ukraine should decide its own future, and they expect now that Ukraine should become ready for NATO membership, which would mean carrying out and implementing a set of deep and systematic reforms, not only in security and defence, but also in a broader sense”, –  Vinnikov said.

In his view, it is important now to focus on what Ukraine can do to progress.

“There are areas that all members of the Alliance recognize as important for Ukraine. These are functioning democratic institutions, the rule of law, the fight against corruption, respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms, a functioning market economy”, –  Ukrainian Pravda quoted the head of the NATO mission as saying.

Zelensy says Ukraine’s NATO membership will stop war in Donbass