NATO and Ukraine step up Joint Working Group on Military Reform, says Dmytro Kuleba

Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba discussed at NATO Headquarters further ways of cooperation with the Alliance during meetings with NATO Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy Bettina Cadenbach, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations John Manza and the NATO Secretary General’s Special Representative for Women, Peace and Security Clare Hutchinson. The meetings were part of a two-day working visit of the Deputy Prime Minister to Brussels (Belgium).

In order to intensify practical cooperation in reforming the security and defense sector structures, it was agreed to intensify the activities of the NATO-Ukraine Joint Working Group on Military Reform.

The Parties expressed mutual interest in enhancing NATO-Ukraine engagement in the context of counteracting hybrid threats and security challenges and exchanged views on possible joint actions aimed to ramp up security in the Black Sea area.

In the context of the Alliance's renewed policy on interaction with partners, the parties discussed priorities and joint activities within the framework of the Alliance's ‘one country - one plan’ principle.

The Deputy Prime Minister informed the Alliance of Ukraine's willingness to increase its contribution to NATO-led operations. He also informed the interlocutors of the drafting of the new National Security Strategy of Ukraine. Ukraine intends to present this document to its allies to receive relevant recommendations and proposals.

During the meetings, the parties also agreed to continue the practice of joint military training, including the training of military personnel of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Naval officers on the ships of NATO member states.

Dmytro Kuleba confirmed that gender equality remains an important focus of the Government's activities and a critical component of reforms. The Deputy Prime Minister invited Clare Hutchinson to visit Ukraine and expressed hope for continued mutually beneficial cooperation in this area.

The parties also discussed the preparations for a visit by the North Atlantic Council to Ukraine in late October.

“President Zelenskyy has determined that the reform of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the defense sector in general must be carried out in accordance with the best world standards. That is why today at NATO we have talked about very practical things: how the Alliance can help Ukraine become stronger, and how Ukraine can help the Alliance. Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic course remains unchanged, and the visit is one of the proofs of that”, Dmytro Kuleba commented on the results of the meetings.