Ukraine needs healthy democracy to join NATO, there is still work to be done - Kirby
To join NATO, Ukraine does not need the MAP, but it does need reforms - political, legal, and democratic institutions.
This was stated by White House spokesman John Kirby in an interview with the Voice of America, Censor.NET reports.
"Ukraine is now at a point where the alliance doesn't think that MAP is really necessary... But there are reforms that Ukraine still needs to implement," Kirby said.
He also noted that the United States understands the obstacles to political reform in the midst of war. And the US President is convinced that the partners should continue to focus on Ukraine's needs on the battlefield.
Kirby reminded that joining NATO is a process, and both Finland and Sweden had to go through it from application to accession.
"Part of this process is having a healthy, vibrant democracy and healthy, viable, sustainable democratic institutions. And Ukraine still has work to do in this regard," he said.
"We must remember that Ukrainians are fighting and dying for their country. And we have to focus on helping them succeed. We will then set out a pathway for eventual NATO membership that gives Ukraine the time and space to work on some of the reforms, while still having the commitment and security guarantees from the West," Kirby added.
According to him, the necessary reforms include eradicating corruption, building democratic institutions, a strong judiciary, the rule of law and other key indicators required by every country that aspires to become a NATO member.
