Director of the NATO liaison Office in Ukraine Alexander Vinnikov considers that the decision of Ukraine to apply for NATO membership should be considered after the modernization of its security sector and defense industry. So Vinnikov commented on the statement of the President of Petro Poroshenko about the readiness to hold a referendum on membership of Ukraine in NATO, “UKRINFORM”reports.
“President Poroshenko has set a goal of implementing the standards and principles of NATO until 2020. We believe this is an ambitious goal and we are here to help Ukraine to implement the reform process. I think this issue should be a priority for Ukraine. Later Ukraine will determine whether it will apply for NATO membership,” said Vinnikov.
According to him, Ukraine has done a lot in reform over the past two to three years. “During this period the state has implemented more reforms than in the entire period of independence. It is necessary to consider how difficult it is to reform, when the country’s conflict, and we are fully aware of this. At the same time, we believe that a large number of steps still must be done in the reform process. Especially with regard to security and defense. On these issues Ukraine faces many obstacles, but I think they will be overcome. We are here to help you to do this together,” he said.
We will remind, in interview to the German newspaper Berliner Morgenpost, the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko said that now 54% of Ukrainians support Ukraine’s membership in NATO. “Four years ago only 16% of Ukrainians support Ukraine’s membership in NATO. Now 54%. As President, I am guided by the views of their people and conduct a referendum on joining NATO. And if Ukrainians will vote for, I will do everything to achieve membership in NATO,” said Poroshenko.
