A precondition for considering Ukraine’s membership in NATO is its victory over russian federation. This was stated by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg at a press conference in Bucharest on November 30, - Interfax-Ukraine reports.
"Whatever you think about when Ukraine can become a member of the Alliance, the precondition for this issue to be on the table at all is for Ukraine to win. So, NATO is helping to make it happen at this moment. Allies during the meeting made it clear that they are ready to maintain support for advanced military equipment, ammunition, fuel, everything that Ukrainians need for self-defense. This is the immediate, most important task for the allies", - Stoltenberg said.
The NATO Secretary General stressed that for the victory of Ukraine, the allies must mobilize as much as possible when it comes to military, economic, financial, humanitarian support for Ukraine.
"That is exactly what NATO officials are doing. If Ukraine does not win as an independent, sovereign state, then the issue of membership will not be on the table at all, because NATO will no longer have a candidate for membership like Ukraine", - Stoltenberg noted.
He noted that now it is important to move step by step, and the most important and urgent step is to ensure the victory of Ukraine.
"It is needed to develop a closer partnership – both political and practical – with Ukraine. This will strengthen Ukraine’s institutions, help it move from Soviet equipment standards to NATO modern equipment doctrines. This is good for Ukraine, to enhance mutual compatibility. But it will also help Ukraine get closer to membership", - Stoltenberg underlined.
As previously reported, Lithuania demanded that NATO transfer modern tanks to Ukraine.