Ukraine's accession to NATO without occupied territories out of question – senior Ukrainian official

Olha Stefanishyna, Ukraine's Deputy Prime Minister for European Integration and Minister of Justice, has stressed that the issue of Ukraine's accession to NATO without the territories temporarily occupied by Russia is not being discussed. Source: a statement from Stefanishyna, as reported by European Pravda, citing Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne Quote: "There have been no such discussions [about Ukraine joining NATO without the occupied territories - ed.].

Ukraine will definitely be invited to join NATO within the 1991 borders, and this is not up for debate. This is not a subject of discussion."

Details: The official stressed that Ukraine's membership in NATO is possible after the war is over, but the situation may change in the post-invitation process. "After the invitation, a protocol on accession is drawn up, which specifies both the terms and the reforms that need to be done.

These aren't scary reforms. But this is for later. Now, the invitation [is what matters the most].

And it is not being negotiated with either the progress on the battlefield or the territories at all," Stefanishyna stated.

Background:

• President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presented Ukraine's Victory Plan, which consists of five points.

  The first point calls for Kyiv to be invited to join the Alliance immediately.

• The White House commented on Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Victory Plan, saying that NATO does not have a consensus on Ukraine's accession to the Alliance. 
• Jake Sullivan, US National Security Advisor, stated that Ukraine needs to carry out appropriate reforms and meet security conditions in order to become a NATO member.

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