A high-ranking civilian NATO representative in Kyiv will manage the process of defense institutions until Ukraine becomes a NATO member." This was stated by Michael Carpenter, Senior Director for European Affairs at the US National Security Council, in an interview with the Voice of Americaon Wednesday, UNN reports .
As Carpenter pointed out, the summit communiqué means that NATO is creating a completely new command in Germany to support Ukraine in training, coordination, equipment, logistics, and force development. And on top of that, it is making a financial commitment.
In addition, Carpenter noted that "there is also a political component to this, which includes placing a senior civilian representative in Kyiv to manage the entire process of defense institutions until Ukraine becomes a NATO member.
"What we tried to do at the summit and what we are doing now is building a bridge to NATO for Ukraine. This is a really significant achievement. I think Ukrainians should be satisfied with the results of the summit," Carpenter said.
He noted that when the political will is there, "Ukraine will be able to quickly join the alliance and join us, democratic countries that are NATO allies." Carpenter did not directly answer the question of when exactly this would happen.
"This is a political decision for the leaders of 32 allied countries. When they make this decision, then we will really start a new historical chapter," he emphasized.
Context
To further deepen Ukraine's institutional relations with NATO, the Secretary General decided to appoint a senior civilian representative in Kyivto serve as a focal point for NATO's engagement with Ukrainian officials.