U.S. Special Rep Volker doesn't think Ukraine ready to join NATO

U.S. Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations Kurt Volker said he believes Ukraine is not ready to join NATO and the alliance is not ready to admit the country.

Volker said in an interview with the Ukrainian Pryamyi TV channel that he has a lot of respect for Ukraine, but he does not think yet that Ukraine is ready to join NATO and NATO is ready to admit the country in the existing situation.

A country's preparations for the accession to the alliance take a lot of time, he said. Volker also said that the decision on joining NATO rests with the Ukrainian side.

The United States, the European Union, and Russia, all parties must understand that Ukraine is an independent country, and no one could actually say when Ukraine becomes a NATO member, as this decision fully rests with Ukraine, but it does not mean Ukraine is close to receiving an invitation to NATO, Volker said.

Ukraine is not ready to join NATO in terms of security as well, he said.