Ukraine will hold a referendum on joining NATO.
(Baonghean.vn) - Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said he plans to hold a referendum on the country's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO).
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| Ukraine is striving to meet the criteria for joining NATO. (Photo: Ria Novosti) |
“Four years ago, only 16% of the population supported Ukraine joining NATO, but now that number has risen to 54%. As the leader of the country, I have a responsibility to realize the aspirations of the people.”
"When all the people agree, I will do my best to bring Ukraine up to the standards to become a NATO member. Therefore, a referendum will be held in the near future," he said.
According to Ukraine's new military doctrine, by 2020, Ukraine will essentially meet the standards of NATO's armed forces.
NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said that it would take Kyiv a long time to meet the criteria for joining the Alliance. He emphasized that Ukraine's application to join NATO, becoming the last member of the organization, a promise made since 2008, is not being discussed at this time.
Experts believe that Ukraine will not qualify for NATO membership within the next 20 years, because NATO does not accept a country with territorial disputes and instability.
Furthermore, recent developments in eastern Ukraine have also led NATO to postpone its meeting with Ukraine. Peace plans for the region, as well as a ceasefire agreement negotiated in Minsk between Ukraine and Russia, have been stalled for months.
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(According to Ria Novosti)
