British ambassador to Ukraine Melinda Simmons said in an interview with BBC Ukraine that the Alliance states support Kiev’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations, but the Ukrainian authorities have not sufficiently prepared the country for NATO membership
“With Ukraine’s engagement, its participation in NATO operations – everything is fine, and progress is evident. But regarding the institutional reforms that membership requires, there is still a lot of work to be done – in some areas more than others”, – Simmons said.
The diplomat stressed that the defence sector in Ukraine needs tough institutional reform. According to Simmons, “Fighting on the frontline is important, but so is having a credible support system on the home front.
“In addition, the Enhanced Opportunity Partner status and the Membership Action Plan make it clear: there are accompanying reforms that also need to make progress. These are judicial reform and security sector reform”, – she concluded.
As News Front previously reported, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the state should be recognised as “part of the West”.