On 10 July, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said that NATO has decided to remove a Membership Action Plan (MAP) for Ukraine to shorten the country's path to NATO membership.
"Following intensive talks, NATO allies have reached consensus on removing MAP from Ukraine's path to membership. I welcome this long-awaited decision that shortens our path to NATO. It is also the best moment to offer clarity on the invitation to Ukraine to become member," Kuleba tweeted.
The Membership Action Plan (MAP) is a NATO program designed to help build a roadmap to future membership, tailored to the individual needs of a country willing to join the Alliance.
The Lithuanian capital of Vilnius will host the annual NATO summit on 11 and 12 July.
NATO officials have not commented on Kuleba's remarks at the time of publication of this material.
Back in 2008, the Bucharest summit declared that Ukraine and Georgia would become NATO members but failed to offer the two countries a Membership Action Plan for their accession.
Read also:
- Germany preparing to block Ukraine’s NATO membership bid – The Telegraph
- Portugal becomes 23rd NATO member to declare its support for Ukraine’s NATO accession
- End of “partnership era”: what Ukraine wants from the NATO summit in Vilnius
- NATO’s Vilnius summit will unite Alliance behind Ukraine and bring it closer to NATO – Stoltenberg
