NATO member states need Ukraine in Alliance - Member of European Parliament Juknevičienė

In 2008, Ukraine did not join NATO because of the West's fears of provoking Vladimir Putin for escalation. However, MEP Rasa Juknevičienė believes that the Russian leader was provoked by the fact that Ukraine was not invited to the Alliance and the EU.

"Today the situation is different, and Ukraine has received the status of a candidate for the European Union. As for me, Ukraine today is more than a NATO member. Because Ukraine behaves like a member of the Alliance and uses Western weapons. We in Lithuania and many other countries understand that Ukraine is already a de facto NATO member. And it is only a matter of time before Ukraine officially becomes a member of the Alliance," she said.

In addition, the former Lithuanian Defense Minister believes that all member states will benefit from Ukraine's accession.

 "We have to change the narratives in the Alliance countries. It is beneficial not only for Ukraine, but we also need Ukraine in NATO," Rasa Juknevičienė concluded.