Candidates for NATO membership are required to go through a particular action plan, which indicates to the state what steps to take to meet the criteria for a military alliance in various issues. Each stage passed is evaluated by the current NATO members. North Macedonia has been on the map for 20 years, and Finland in a record few months. According to James Cleverly, Ukraine has proved that it deserves to be admitted to NATO under a simplified procedure.
"I think the UK's position would be very, very supportive if we moved on from the membership action plan recognising that the offer to both Sweden and Finland didn't require that and Ukrainians have demonstrated their commitment to reform the military for requirement of NATO membership through their actions on the battlefield."
Cleverly believes that not only the UK, but also "all NATO allies recognise that."
"We have seen Ukraine evolve, and evolve incredibly quickly," despite the war. "The reform of their armed forces is happening whilst engaged in conflict."
"Jens Stoltenberg at the NATO informal foreign ministers (summit) said that actually, many of the requirements of membership action plan are actually being delivered."
