War brings Ukraine much closer to NATO membership - Hanna Shelest

This is reported on Spotlight Ukraine | Espreso TV Channel. 

Hanna Shelest believes that Ukraine does not need permission to strike military targets on enemy territory, but a green light from the US is also an important decision.

“Ukraine doesn't need permission for this, because we are acting in accordance with international law. And sometimes a pre-emptive attack on the military objects at the territory of the enemy or, in our case, on the territory of aggression, is considered as the legitimate target. However, we definitely understand that, as far as we are using the US equipment and ammunition, it is always the question of restrictions. And we remember the conversation that we had in Washington before we received HIMARS that they would not like to see any type of escalation. But, now we got the green light. This is the statement, or rather a confirmation, that Ukraine has the right (to strike military facilities in Russia - ed.) and the US will not say anything against it,” she said. 

Despite the fact that the war brought Ukraine much closer to joining NATO, this issue is more political.

“It seems to me that war has brought us much closer (to NATO membership - ed.), because Ukraine really demonstrated the capabilities of our Armed Forces, interoperability with our NATO partners and allies, as well as our willingness to fight for our choice. And as for now, the question is more political, except for some requirements that definitely are set. But this 'closer' or 'further' is still, unfortunately, more in the political cabinets rather than on the military battlefield,” the woman noted. 

Answering the question about whether Ukraine needs negotiations with Russia, which some countries insist on, Hanna Shelest said:

“Negotiations are not an ultimate goal, negotiations are just a tool. And what is our ultimate goal is up to Ukraine to decide. Each conflict is finished with certain types of negotiations or treaties, because it's needed to sign some documents. But the question is what to discuss there. If we are discussing Ukraine's future, that is not the negotiations, that is more of surrendering or an ultimatum of the Russian Federation. If we are discussing Russian reparations, then these are negotiations. That's why negotiations should not be some kind of mantra that some European politicians are trying to impose. And we need to explain that Ukraine is not against the negotiations, we were at them in Belarus, and we were at them in Istanbul. But the question here is what to negotiate.”