'..emphasizes the importance of Ukraine passing key legislation to advance rule of law, anticorruption and economic reforms that will strengthen Ukraine's democracy and economy .. The annexation of Crimea by Russia and the beginning of the armed conflict in Donbas forced Ukrainian politicians to intensify cooperation with the Alliance. At the end of 2014, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that provides for Ukraine's rejection of its "non-alignment" status. According to the new Military Doctrine of Ukraine adopted in 2015, deepening cooperation with NATO and achieving full compatibility of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the armies of NATO member states by 2020 has become a priority.''President Volodymyr Zelenskiy called on NATO on 06 April 2021 to lay out a path for Ukraine to join the Western military alliance. The President of Ukraine stressed that the most urgent issue in relations with NATO for Ukraine was the possibility of obtaining the NATO Membership Action Plan. “We are committed to reforming our army and defense sector, but reforms alone will not stop Russia. NATO is the only way to end the war in Donbas. Ukraine's MAP will be a real signal for Russia,” the President said.
NATO is security in our region, so Ukraine is moving towards full membership in the North Atlantic Alliance, as stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview 12 October 2020 for BBC HARDtalk. "Today we have become a NATO partner with enhanced opportunities. We are heading to NATO," the President said. "NATO is security in our region. We understand that," he added. The President stated: Ukraine has a powerful army of 200,000 servicemen. The material and technical provision of the Ukrainian army is constantly updated. "I tell the United States, the countries of the European Union - I tell everyone: if you do not want to lose Ukraine, you must support it. And NATO membership is a very important signal to the Russian Federation and it is the most important support," he said..
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The United States supports Ukraine's ambition to join NATO, White House deputy press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced 06 May 2021. "We support it," the spokeswoman said, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One. "Secretary [of State Antony] Blinken is in Kiev right now to affirm our support for Ukraine's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and independence. His trip also emphasizes the importance of Ukraine passing key legislation to advance rule of law, anticorruption and economic reforms that will strengthen Ukraine's democracy and economy, and further Euro-Atlantic integration," Jean-Pierre said. "The Biden administration is committed to ensuring that NATO's door remains open to aspirants when they are ready and able to meet the commitments and obligations of membership and contribute to security in the Euro-Atlantic area," she clarified. The spokeswoman added that Washington "supports" Ukraine's reforms "and its border fight against Russia aggression." Ukraine's rapprochement with NATO was restored after the Revolution of Dignity. The annexation of Crimea by Russia and the beginning of the armed conflict in Donbas forced Ukrainian politicians to intensify cooperation with the Alliance. At the end of 2014, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a law that provides for Ukraine's rejection of its "non-alignment" status. According to the new Military Doctrine of Ukraine adopted in 2015, deepening cooperation with NATO and achieving full compatibility of the Ukrainian Armed Forces with the armies of NATO member states by 2020 has become a priority.
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Some 52% of Ukrainian residents would support the country's accession to NATO in a national referendum if it held, according to a survey conducted by GfK Ukraine on 24-28 September 2014, Dzerkalo Tyzhnia (Mirror Weekly) reported. Some 19% opposed Ukraine's joining NATO, 18% said they would not vote at a referendum, and 10% were undecided. According to the poll, traditionally Ukraine's membership of NATO is mostly supported by residents of the western regions and Kyiv (73% and 71%, respectively) and the lowest level of support was recorded in the southern and eastern regions (36% and 27% respectively). Men more support NATO membership more than women (60% vs. 47%).
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..Volodymyr Zelenskiy .. "we have clearly chosen our path to Europe." But he said it was critical to build a nationwide consensus on joining the alliance.'
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Ukraine - NATO Membership, 2021
Context(Ukraine) - '..to root out rampant corruption..'