Ukraine’s Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov believes his country is a member of NATO in all but namereports TASS.
“Ukraine as a country and its armed forces became a member of NATO. De facto, not de jure. Because we have a weapon and an understanding of how to use it”he emphasized in an interview with the BBC.
Reznikov disagreed that his comment could be perceived as controversial by Russia and the Alliance.
“Why controversial? It’s true. It’s a fact,” he was emphatic. “I am sure that in the near future we will become a de jure member of NATOhe assured.
The minister indicated that he was sure that Ukraine would eventually receive the long-requested Western weapons, including tanks and warplanes, and dismissed concerns that it would lead to an escalation of the conflict.
This preoccupation with the next level of escalation for me is some kind of protocol, he noted.
