Ukraine's Defence Minister Rustem Umierov, commenting on a statement by US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth claiming that Ukraine's membership in NATO is unrealistic, has stressed that Ukraine has not changed its stance on membership in the North Atlantic Alliance.

Source: Umierov in a comment to journalists in Brussels after a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group, also known as the Ramstein Group, on 12 February, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Umierov emphasised that Kyiv's stance remains unchanged – Ukraine wants to join NATO and will achieve that goal.

"We have to get used to any kind of statements. Our position has always remained unchanged. We want to be a NATO country. We will be a NATO country," Umierov stressed.

He further added that Ukraine will also become a member of the European Union.

"We're maintaining our defence potential and we're capable of doing so. We have our own priorities and we draw all conclusions together with our people," he said.

He added that the meetings in the Ramstein format are centred on defence assistance, while "all political matters will be discussed not by defence ministers" but at a different level.

Background:

• Before the start of a Ramstein meeting in Brussels on 12 February, US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said that Washington does not consider NATO membership for Ukraine a realistic outcome of a negotiated war settlement.
• In turn, UK Defence Secretary John Healey continues to insist that Ukraine should become a NATO member, though this process will take time.

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