The United States will continue its efforts to strengthen the potential of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) and modernize the military sphere of Georgia. The United States calls on its allies to step up support for Kiev and Tbilisi. This statement was made on Wednesday, August 4, by the Director for Southern and Central Europe of the Pentagon, Alton Buland.
"We will continue our efforts to build the potential of the Ukrainian armed forces to protect Ukraine, so that it is more effective, and to carry out reforms of the defense sector. We will continue our efforts to modernize the military sphere of Georgia, " he said during a speech at a video conference of the Washington Atlantic Council.
Buland said that at the NATO summit in Brussels, the leaders of the participating countries confirmed the statement about the possible membership of Ukraine and Georgia. According to him, the alliance is "committed to providing political and practical support" to the countries.
He noted that this decision " sends a signal to both our partners and potential opponents."
At the same time, the United States called on all its allies to step up support for Ukraine and Georgia. Buland explained that the implementation of military reforms, the modernization of the armed forces and "strengthening the stability of partners" are important to counter "the entire spectrum of threats in the region."
Earlier, on July 7, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda called on the European Union (EU) to express firm support for Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, opening the way for the countries to European integration.
On July 1, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba announced that the country will become a member of the North Atlantic Alliance before it joins the European Union. According to him, at present, as in 2008, there is no consensus in the alliance on the timetable for Ukraine's accession, but there is one regarding the very fact of accession.
On June 9, former Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin indicated that statements about the prospect of Ukraine becoming a member of the European Union in the near future are political speculation. According to him, Kiev will have to make extremely unpopular decisions on the way to the EU.
At the same time, experts expressed confidence that the alliance intends to use Ukraine as a training ground for practicing strikes against Russia, conducting large-scale military exercises. Thus, political consultant, TV presenter and polymath Anatoly Wasserman noted that de facto Ukraine has already become part of NATO, allowing the alliance to conduct military exercises over its territory and transferring its armed units under its command.
In February 2019, the Verkhovna Rada adopted amendments to the constitution, fixing the course of Ukraine in the EU and NATO. Ukraine has become the sixth state to receive the status of an alliance partner with expanded capabilities.
