Ukrainian Defense Minister Andriy Zagorodnyuk has said Ukraine meets the criteria for NATO's Enhanced Opportunity Partner (EOP) status.
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"Allies are aware that this issue is an absolute priority for Ukraine. Ukraine has made significant progress in implementing the Alliance's standards and already meets military criteria to join the EOP program. We are ready and now we have a window of opportunity," he said at a working breakfast on Thursday at the invitation of Canada's Minister of National Defense Harjit Sajjan with the participation of NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, as reported on the ministry's official website.
Zagorodnyuk also said Ukraine's EOP status was key to strengthening European security and deepening cooperation and partnership.
In addition, the defense minister stressed Ukraine has something to offer to the Alliance. "Among the directions, the minister singled out the further contribution to NATO operations, sharing and exploiting operational lessons from the Joint Forces Operation of Ukraine, including in the cyber/hybrid domain, as well as contributing to Black Sea security," the report said.
The minister also encouraged Allies to consider Ukraine's request and build consensus to support the EOP status for Ukraine.
