Ukraine expects decision on integration into NATO defense planning from Washington summit - Stefanchuk

Ukraine expects decision on gradual integration into NATO defense planning process as a future ally.

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Ruslan Stefanchuk stated this at a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council, Ukrinform reports citing the politician's Facebook.

"A meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council. It is important that, despite the threat from Russia, this meeting is taking place in Kyiv. This is certainly an important signal of political support for Ukraine," he said.

Opening the meeting, Stefanchuk outlined the security situation and noted that Russia is seeking to seize the strategic initiative and break through the front line.

In this context, the Ukrainian speaker stressed that "sustainable military support is a matter of Ukraine's survival."

"Our urgent military needs remain unchanged: air defense systems, a fleet of F-16 combat aircraft, ammunition, long-range artillery, and armored vehicles," he said.

According to him, one of the main tasks of the parliamentarians is to use all available platforms, including meetings of the NATO-Ukraine Interparliamentary Council, to convey Ukraine's position to the leaders of the Alliance.

"Ukraine's expectations from the upcoming Summit are, first and foremost, progress towards NATO membership. We also expect a decision on Ukraine’s gradual integration into NATO defense planning process as a future ally," the Verkhovna Rada chairman.

At the same time, Stefanchuk stressed the importance of expanding the range of countries with which the state has security agreements, "which are not an alternative to NATO membership, but will help Ukraine to protect its sovereignty and territorial integrity."

As Ukrinform reported, the NATO summit in Washington should highlight opportunities for Ukraine's full integration into Western structures, create a direct and effective bridge to its membership in the Alliance, and discuss ways for Ukraine to succeed on the battlefield.

Photo: Facebook / Ruslan Stefanchuk