The situation around Crimea and the conflict in Donbass are hindering membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, Anka Feldguzen noted.
According to TASS, in an interview with the Ukrainian 1 + 1 TV channel, German Ambassador to Ukraine Anka Feldguzen said that the conflict in Donbass, as well as the situation around Crimea, which Kiev considers Ukrainian, are an obstacle to Ukraine’s entry into NATO.
“The fact remains that there is a military conflict in Ukraine. It is always difficult for NATO to accept new countries where there are such conflicts”, – she said.
When asked whether the conflict in the east of the country, as well as the situation around Crimea, is an obstacle to membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, the ambassador said yes.
Feldguzen noted that Kiev has the tools to go further on the issue of cooperation with NATO.
“These are annual national programs under the auspices of the Ukraine-NATO Commission, which are implemented by Ukraine every year. In addition, for almost two years now Ukraine has been a partner of the alliance’s expanded capabilities, where you have not yet used the available opportunities at all”, – she said. In addition, the Ambassador recalled the need for reforms, including military, judicial and anti-corruption.