NATO provides recommendations on Ukraine’s priority reforms

This is reported by the NATO press service.

After the meeting, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that NATO Allies had adopted a work program for the coming year. It covers energy security, innovation and interoperability.

“We are now transforming NATO’s comprehensive assistance package into a multi-year programme of assistance, helping Ukraine to transition from Soviet-era to NATO equipment and standards and make their forces fully interoperable with ours,” he said. 

The statement says that the ministers also discussed Ukraine's path to NATO membership. As a result, Kyiv received recommendations on priority reforms in Ukraine. These include fighting corruption, strengthening the rule of law, and supporting human and minority rights.

According to the Secretary General, Ukraine is closer to NATO than ever before. He added that the Alliance will continue to support it on its path to membership.

The main topics of the meeting

The topics of the meeting were reported by the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Ministry.

"It would not be an exaggeration to say that the defense of European space is impossible without Ukraine, as our country currently has the strongest and most capable army in Europe. We are significantly expanding our cooperation with NATO, in fact, we have already become an army of NATO standards: both in terms of technical capabilities and management approaches and principles of military management," the Ukrainian Foreign Minister emphasized.

Kuleba said that during the first-ever meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of foreign ministers, Ukraine and the allies will discuss important issues as close partners, including steps to increase production of weapons and ammunition.

The Ukrainian Foreign Minister thanked NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for recognizing Ukraine's achievements on the battlefield. In this context, Kuleba emphasized that one of the key topics in cooperation with the Alliance is the unification of defense industries and the increase in arms production.

"Ukraine's victory is in the interests not only of our country but also of the entire Euro-Atlantic community. To ensure sustainability, the defense industries must increase production, unite and work as one integrated mechanism," the minister emphasized.

In addition, at the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council, the Allies will discuss supporting Ukraine on its path to membership in the Alliance and on the battlefield. The NATO Secretary General said this before the meeting at a briefing broadcast by Espreso.

"Today we are going to have a historic meeting - the first meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of foreign ministers, which demonstrates that Ukraine is getting closer to NATO. At the meeting, we will discuss how we can support your path to NATO membership. All allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of the Alliance. And we need to discuss further reform efforts and how NATO can support you in implementing reforms," said Stoltenberg.

In addition, the meeting will discuss "urgent needs on the battlefield". The Secretary General also recalled the opening of a training center for F-16 pilots in Romania, EUR 2.1 billion from the Netherlands, and the creation of an air defense coalition by 20 allies.

"These are concrete actions. We need more of them, and we need sustained, enhanced support for Ukraine. Because it is in Ukraine's interest, but also in our own security interests, that Ukraine wins, that you are able to repel Russian forces and survive as an independent state in Europe," Stoltenberg emphasized.

In addition, the meeting is expected to agree on recommendations for reforms that Ukraine needs to implement in order to become a NATO member.

• On November 28, a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers began in Brussels, during which the Alliance will reaffirm its long-term support for Ukraine.