US pledges to work with Ukraine until ready for NATO accession

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated in Kyiv on
Oct. 19 that the United States would work with Ukraine on reform until Ukraine
is ready to meet NATO criteria for accession. At a press briefing after meeting
with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Defense Minister Andrii Taran, Austin
told journalists that he had had effective negotiations with Taran, and that
they are based on the framework agreement on defense signed in Washington in
August. Austin also noted that NATO member states had agreed in June to support
Ukraine on its aspirations to join the organization. Furthermore, Austin stated
that US President Joe Biden has pointed several times to the US’s duty to
assist Ukraine, Interfax reported on Oct. 19.

James Hydzik: Austin’s comment about the US working with Ukraine until it was ready
to meet the accession criteria is the most unequivocal public statement on the
matter heard in a long time. It fits Biden’s actions – to help those who help themselves
in the areas that they are doing so. Going forward, judicial and corporate
governance reform issues are likely to be further disconnected, and if the
Ukrainian government moves forward with fuel and energy reform, these actions
are likely to be met with further assistance.