UK’s Cleverly urges focus on defending Ukraine before eyeing NATO bid

British Foreign Secretary James Cleverly reaffirmed NATO's promise for Ukraine to one day become a member of the alliance but today, main focus should be on strengthening the nation’s defense capabilities, he believes.

That’s according to Politico, Ukrinform reports.

"Obviously, there are long-standing commitments to provide Ukraine with a path to NATO membership," the British foreign minister said after a NATO foreign ministerial in Brussels.

However, he added, today the priority is to strengthen the defense capabilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

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As Ukrinform reported earlier, this position was echoed on Wednesday by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken. He emphasized that, while NATO's door remained open for Ukraine, at the current stage, the main focus of the allies was on helping the Armed Forces of Ukraine defend against Russian aggression.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday outlined two basic requirements for Ukraine to become a member of the alliance. Ukraine must win the war as a sovereign, independent state, as well as make a successful transition from Soviet doctrines and standards to Western ones, which is included in a multi-year assistance program, he explained.