In many ways, Ukraine is already in NATO, minister Reznikov says
Jens Stoltenberg and Oleksii Reznikov (Photo:REUTERS/Johanna Geron)
Ukraine has “de facto” became a NATO member in 2022, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said in a Facebook post on Feb. 14.
Reznikov’s message conveyed his gratitude to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg for the allied military assistance to Ukraine, following a meeting with defense ministers of Kyiv’s international partners.
The minister also noted that last year Russia was officially recognized as the most significant and direct threat to NATO countries.
Reznikov also added that the Ukrainian troops are protecting not just their own country from Russia, but all of Europe.
“Last year Ukraine joined NATO de facto,” he wrote.
“I am doing everything I can so that it happens de jure at the right time.”
On Feb. 11, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine could join NATO after the end of the war with Russia.
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