Ukraine achieves NATO standards in practical terms, makes unique contribution to security — political scientist Dzherdzh on Ukraine's accession

He shared his opinions with Espreso TV.

“It's hard to think of anything else that would bring us closer to NATO, other than membership itself. We have such a wide field of cooperation, everything has been worked out in the legislative sphere, we have a charter on a distinctive partnership, we have the NATO-Ukraine Council, which was established at the last summit in Vilnius, we have an enhanced capabilities program and intelligence sharing, we have practical cooperation, and Ramstein records all this. I think the next step would be, of course, an invitation. The mere issuance of an invitation still is not the end of the matter,” said Dzherdzh.

According to him, in order for Ukraine to fully join NATO, it is necessary to adapt legislative issues in Ukraine and wait for the bureaucratic procedure in NATO itself.

“Perhaps some formula will be proposed again. In particular, one of the American experts, a former State Department official, said that we need to build a strong bridge that would be made of metal, not paper, so that it would be reliable and not long, but short (referring to Ukraine's path to NATO). At the same time, there is a formula that does not require unnecessary expectations to avoid disappointment, and we do not ask for much and do not want much, we want a simple invitation,” Dzherdzh believes.

The head of the NATO-Ukraine Civic League reminded that Ukraine has been cooperating with NATO for over 30 years, and now even uses NATO weapons.

“We are achieving these standards and criteria in practical terms, and we are contributing to security like no one else. I think that such a formula for rapprochement with NATO as an invitation could be voiced. But let's wait, there is not much time left, let's see what our allies can offer us,” Dzherdzh summarized.

• Former NATO Deputy Secretary General Rose Gottemoeller said that Ukraine's accession to the Alliance will be considered at the July summit in Washington.
• NATO's highest military body, the Military Committee, will hold a meeting on May 16 in Brussels, which will be attended by the Chiefs of Defence and their Ukrainian counterparts.