The Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) are already actually a NATO army, since the country is actively implementing the standards of the alliance and using its military equipment. This was stated by the Prime Minister of the Republic Denys Shmyhal in an interview with the Spanish newspaper Confidential.

According to the politician, Kyiv is aware of the difficulties associated with joining the North Atlantic Alliance. At the same time, the authorities do not stop working on the modernization of the army and the adaptation of relevant legislation.

“All this gives me confidence that Ukraine will become a very strong and necessary NATO member in the near future,” Shmyhal said, calling the main goal of integration “the defense of the country.”

He also once again asked the alliance to expedite the transfer of tanks, artillery and aircraft and promised not to use this equipment to attack Russian territory within the 1991 borders.

“We understand that we are asking a lot from our partners,” the prime minister added.

Earlier, the Italian newspaper La Repubblica reported that Italy could supply combat aircraft to Ukraine, but only after other European allies make similar deliveries.