Ukraine must win war to join NATO - White House

White House national security spokesman John Kirby said this at a briefing at the White House, Ukrinform reports.

"The alliance has talked about it and the United States certainly talked about it. They [Ukrainians] got to win this war first [before joining the alliance]. We're doing everything we can to make sure they can do that," Kirby said.

He also noted that after the end of the war, Ukraine would have a long border with Russia and a constant security threat.

According to Kirby, the U.S. presidential administration believes that "NATO is in Ukraine's future."

"There are certainly other things that need to be done for any nation to join the alliance," he added.

Kirby said that a bilateral security agreement would help Ukraine defend itself while Ukraine works "on the necessary things" it has to do like any member of the alliance before joining NATO.

"We do believe that NATO is in Ukraine's future, and we will work with them at every step of the way we get them there," he said.