Verkhovna Rada adds the goal of joining NATO to Ukraine’s foreign policy
On Thursday, May 8, the Verkhovna Rada adopted Bill Number 6470 that defines Ukraine’s accession to NATO as one of the bases of foreign policy. 276 people's deputies voted in favor of bill.
In the old version of Article 11 of the Law of Ukraine "On the Basics of Domestic and Foreign Policy," the priority was defined as "to deepen cooperation with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization in order to meet the criteria necessary to obtain membership in this organization."
Now, the goal of deepening cooperation with NATO will be to obtain membership, and not simply to meet the necessary criteria. The course on membership in NATO is also now reflected in the law "On the Fundamentals of National Security of Ukraine."
"Today, for the first time in 20 years, joining the Alliance has the support of the majority of the population in Ukraine, and I am sure that the time has come for us to clearly declare Ukraine's desire to join NATO in Ukrainian legislation. In recent years, the Ukrainian army has become one of the most combat-capable and effective armies on the European continent. Therefore, I am sure that Ukraine's accession to NATO today is equally important for both parties," the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada, Andriy Parubiy said. Parubiy is one of the co-authors of this bill.
Ukraine’s current government sees NATO membership as a strategic goal. The Military Doctrine of Ukraine provides for the development of the Armed Forces of Ukraine according to Western standards and the achievement of compatibility with the armed forces of the NATO member states. In spite of that, no active steps have been taken in this direction.