President Poroshenko: In the next five years Ukraine will receive a decision on NATO membership
In an interview with television channel Ukraina, President Petro Poroshenko stated that he is confident that in the next five years Ukraine will receive a decision regarding NATO membership.
“We must meet the criteria for membership in the European Union… and meet the criteria regarding NATO membership. I am sure that by that time (in 5 years) we will already have an action plan regarding NATO membership, we will have a decision regarding Ukraine receiving membership,” said Poroshenko, answering a question on how he sees Ukraine in the coming five years.
He stressed that Ukraine must carry out reforms and achieve the criteria set by the EU and NATO.
The President is confident that completing these tasks is absolutely a reality.
According to the president, EU membership will significantly increase the standard of living, standards in life, and democracy in Ukraine.
“NATO membership means security.” This is security for external borders, this is a political and diplomatic way to restore the sovereignty and territorial integrity of our country, and for the ordinary citizen, this means safety on the streets,” stressed Petro Poroshenko.
Earlier, the Ukrainian Minister of Defense Stepan Poltorak stated that NATO is insisting on expediting Ukraine’s introduction into the Alliance.
On November 22nd of last year, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted to add to the constitution the country’s aspiration to full membership in EU and NATO, as well as exclude the provision on allowing foreign governments to lease military bases in Ukraine.