15 Jun 2022 15:45

NATO focused on providing Ukraine with urgent assistance, MAP not under consideration now - Stoltenberg

MOSCOW/BRUSSELS. June 15 (Interfax) - In their relations with Ukraine, the NATO Allies are currently focused on providing it with urgent military aid, while granting Ukraine a Membership Action Plan is not under consideration now, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said.

Even though Ukraine is seeking to become a NATO member, the NATO Allies are currently focused on providing it with practical support and assistance and helping it to continue modernizing its armed forces, on which NATO has worked for years, including a transition from Soviet-era to modern NATO equipment, Stoltenberg said when asked by Ukrainian journalists whether Ukraine could be offered NATO candidate country status, after the European Commission said on Friday the country could be granted EU candidate country status.