10 August 2021
The question of whether Ukraine will join NATO is
“resolved in principle”, British Ambassador to Ukraine Melinda
Simmons told BBC News Ukraine. The issue, she said, is how to make this happen,
ukrinform.net reports. She stated that institutional reforms, including in
defense, are still required.
James Hydzik: This is the
most concrete signal from an official from a NATO member state that NATO
membership can be an actuality for Ukraine. It also places the ball in
Ukraine’s court – reform is still required for the next steps to be taken. The
Zelensky government’s attempts to rein in the defense sector have not produced
great results yet. However, if the changes at Ukrainian Railways are an
indication, the government’s sophistication at handling entrenched interests is
improving and more could be done in the future.