NATO Backs Defense Reform

“We will encourage Ukraine to create a smaller but more mobile army,” NATO’s Assistant Secretary General for Defense Policy and Planning John Colston told journalists. Last Wednesday he completed his first visit to Kyiv, where he had a number of meetings at the Defense Ministry, Verkhovna Rada, and Presidential Administration. “I was impressed with the way Ukraine intends to implement defense reforms,” the NATO representative stressed, adding that though Brussels is prepared to assist Ukraine in implementing its “very ambitious plans in both reducing army strength and meeting the deadlines,” the alliance wants to know exactly in what way it can help. Answering The Day’s question, Mr. Colston said, “NATO can share its experience obtained in the many years of defense reforms in other countries.” Simultaneously, NATO’s Assistant Secretary General stated that “Ukraine can be proud of its contribution to peacekeeping operations throughout the world.” Asked about Ukraine’s sending its military to Iraq, Mr. Colston stressed, “Many NATO partners behave in the way that can serve as an example even for the alliance members. However, we will encourage Kyiv to change its Armed Forces structure so that more military could take part in peacekeeping operations.”