Ukrainian army demonstrates progress in transitioning to NATO standards - ISW
Photo: The Armed Forces of Ukraine are actively switching to NATO standards (mil.in.ua)
Ukraine is making efforts to bring its Armed Forces up to the standards of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). Western partners are assisting the country in building its own defense-industrial base, according to a report from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).
According to the Ministry of Defense, from December 2023 to January 2024, Ukraine implemented over 18 NATO standards. These standards include aspects related to the protection of personnel, communication training for the naval forces, as well as procedures for information and transportation systems.
According to ISW, Western partners continue to make efforts to develop their own defense-industrial base in support of Ukraine.
Armin Papperger, the CEO of the German weapons manufacturer Rheinmetall, stated in an interview with Bild on January 28 that Rheinmetall is building a new ammunition production plant in Germany to establish "strategic security of supply" and ensure uninterrupted supply to Ukraine.
"Papperger also noted that Rheinmetall received over 10 billion Euros in military procurement orders from the German Federal government in 2023 for the German Armed Forces and Ukraine and that this will likely increase to 15 billion Euros in 2024," the ISW report stated.
Relations between Ukraine and NATO
In January 2024, the first meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council in a military format took place at the level of military commanders. This format was established during the summit in Vilnius in the summer of 2023 as one of the steps towards Ukraine's accession to the Alliance.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed a commitment to "at some stage" invite Ukraine to full membership in the Alliance.
Meanwhile, NATO has to prepare for potential Russian strikes on targets across Europe, including in Germany, if the Kremlin initiates a war against the alliance.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that NATO's doors remain open for Ukraine, and it will inevitably become a member of the Alliance.
