Ukraine Still Needs to Implement Reforms to Meet NATO Criteria, Pentagon Official Says

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) – Ukraine still needs to implement a series of reforms to ensure the interoperability of its armed forces with those of NATO and meet the alliance’s membership requirements, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence Laura Cooper said on Monday.

Cooper did not give a direct answer to the question of whether Ukraine stands a chance at all to join NATO “in the next decade or so.”

However, Cooper brushed aside speculations there is hesitation within NATO to accept Ukraine stemming from a fear from Russia.

“Russia absolutely does not have a veto,” Cooper said.

Moreover, Russia should be denied veto power over sovereign choices of nations as to which alliance and treaties they want to sign up to, she added.

Sourse: sputniknews.com