Participants in a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO joint working group on military reform discussed the transformation of Ukraine's security and defense sector and prospects of its accession to NATO at the alliance headquarters in Brussels on Jan. 27.
Col. Gen. Mykhailo Koval, a deputy secretary of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council leading the Ukrainian delegation at the meeting, briefed those present about the state of security in Ukraine, the improvement of its defense capability, and the current results of Ukraine-NATO cooperation, the National Security and Defense Council reported on its website.
“Special significance was attached to the further development of Ukraine’s relations with NATO, taking into account our state’s decision to repeal its non-aligned status and declare a course toward deeper cooperation with NATO. The Ukrainian side emphasized that the issue of Ukraine’s accession to NATO will become relevant only after it successfully implements systemic reforms and based on an all-Ukrainian referendum, in line with national law,” it said.
NATO representatives mentioned the Ukraine-NATO joint working group on military reform as playing a key role in practical mutual cooperation, emphasized the importance of efforts toward strengthening Ukraine’s defense potential, and defined areas where Ukraine should be rendered further support in reforming its security and defense sector in line with Euro-Atlantic standards.
