“A lot of work left to do”: British ambassador to Ukraine tells what prevents Kiev from joining NATO

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”.