Corruption has become a major obstacle to Ukraine’s path to NATO — Focus

Before Ukraine can join NATO, it will need to implement additional reforms.

This was reported by the German magazine Focus.

A significant obstacle to the accession of this Eastern European country to the Western military alliance is the “ubiquitous corruption.” Therefore, Ukraine will have to undertake “additional steps,” according to a senior U.S. State Department official.

Despite significant reforms carried out in the country in recent years, NATO sees the need for further actions. The alliance’s requirements place special emphasis on fighting corruption. A written confirmation of this position is expected immediately after the annual NATO meeting, which will take place on July 9.

Volodymyr Zelensky is advocating for Ukraine’s swift accession to NATO to protect his country from future invasions. Such membership would mean that the U.S. and Europe would be obligated to defend Kyiv in the event of a Russian attack. However, ongoing corruption in Ukraine remains a stumbling block in the membership negotiations.

In an interview with Time magazine earlier this year, Joe Biden spoke of “significant corruption” in the country and ruled out supporting the “NATOization of Ukraine.” NATO diplomats and officials have presented Ukraine with a list of reforms that the country must implement before it can achieve its ambitions of joining the alliance.