NATO should consider simplifying procedure for Ukraine's NATO membership - Wallace

UK Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has said that NATO should consider overlooking the specific requirements for Ukraine's pathway to joining the alliance.

He said this at a joint press conference alongside his Canadian counterpart in London, Ukrinform reports with reference to Sky News.

According to Wallace, the alliance should look at "skipping" the Membership Action Plan.

"I think we should absolutely look at skipping the Membership Action Plan," he said.

The UK Defence Secretary noted that the direction of travel should be moving Ukraine towards NATO membership although he admitted that all issues regarding accession will not be resolved quickly.

He also considers it is unlikely all the issues regarding security guarantees for Ukraine will be resolved by the July NATO summit in Vilnius.

As reported by Ukrinform, the NATO summit will be held in Vilnius on July 11-12, 2023.