There is no consensus among NATO member states about a membership action plan (MAP) for Ukraine, French ambassador to Ukraine Etienne de Poncins said in an interview with news outlet TSN.ua.
For now, he advised the country to focus on internal reforms, which may eventually pave the way towards membership.
“Let’s do our homework and not open up a perspective that is not realistic yet,” the ambassador said.
De Poncins said that NATO member states prefer to keep Ukraine as an Enhanced Opportunity Partner (EOP) at this time.
Since June 12, 2020, Ukraine has been one of six countries (Australia, Finland, Georgia, Jordan, Sweden and Ukraine) with EOP status. These countries have more cooperation with the alliance than traditional partner states. But it’s still a far cry from NATO membership.
The ambassador added that France, as a member of NATO, wants to help Ukraine reach its reform goals and strengthen its military potential.
On July 7, President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the International Conference on Reforms in Ukraine, said that the country wants to receive a specific list of reform targets to make NATO membership possible.
On the same day, NATO Deputy Secretary General Mircea Geoană, during the conference “Democracy in Action” also noted a lack of consensus on membership and encouraged Ukraine to “stick to the path and carry out reforms.”
De Poncins was appointed in September 2019.
