«It is a truth, a fact»: Ukraine's Defense Minister on Joining NATO

Ukraine is de facto a member of NATO. This statement was made by Ukraine's Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov in an interview with the BBC.

“Ukraine, as a country and the Armed Forces of Ukraine have become de facto members of NATO, but not de jure, because we have weapons and know how to use them,” Reznikov stated.

The Defense Minister also pointed out that his statement would not be perceived as controversial or contradictory in Russia or NATO. “Why should it be controversial? It is a truth, a fact. I am confident that in the near future we will become de jure members of NATO,” said Ukraine’s Defense Minister.