NATO application formalizes membership negotiations for Ukraine news / The New Voice of Ukraine

“As for the specific action plan, of course, the ball is on NATO’s side, be-cause after the application is officially submitted, member states must first discuss our application and express their position,” she stated.

“I am glad that now the discussion about our future membership has actually become formalized.”

According to Galibarenko, earlier the negotiations on Ukraine joining NATO were held informally on the sidelines. Now they will be held within the framework of the North Atlantic Council at different official levels. One of the first discussions will be held at the level of ambassadors, the second, possibly within the framework of the meeting of defense ministers, and then — at the meeting of NATO foreign ministers in November.

Galibarenko stated that a Ramstein format meeting (named after the NATO base in Ramstein, Germany) will be held on Oct. 12-13, followed a meeting of NATO defense ministers the day after, which is expected to be attended by Ukrainian defense minister Oleksii Reznikov.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Sept. 30 that Ukraine was applying for fast-tracked NATO membership, following Russia’s claimed annexation of occupied Ukrainian territory. According to presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak, Ukraine held consultations with the Alliance before submitting the application.

The presidents of nine NATO countries (Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Poland, Romania and Slovakia) called for “a significant increase in military assistance to Ukraine” and supported its membership in the Alliance on Oct. 2.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Google News

Ukraine Today

Fresh daily newsletter covering the top headlines and developments in Ukraine Daily at 9am EST