Ukrainian Fleet Should Be Compatible With NATO Systems - Poroshenko

Petro Poroshenko wants Ukrainian Navy ships to be compatible with the NATO system.

KIEV (Sputnik) – Ukrainian Navy ships should be domestically-built, modern and compatible with the NATO infrastructure, spokesperson Svyatoslav Tsegolko quoted President Petro Poroshenko as saying Friday.

Poroshenko's spokesperson Svyatoslav Tsegolko wrote in his Twitter:

“The president [said] while in Odessa: our fleet should be modern and compatible with NATO warships. The priority should be given to building new ships in Ukraine.”

In December 2014, Ukraine abandoned its non-aligned status and sought to join NATO. Poroshenko stated that Ukraine would finalize its decision to join the military bloc within five to six years.

Despite Kiev's aspirations to become part of the alliance, NATO officials have repeatedly stressed that the country would need to implement a wide range of reforms before being considered for bloc membership.

Speaking at February’s security conference in Munich, NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said he strongly believed in partnering non-member countries, but warned that many partners do not become members.

On April 7, 2014, Kiev launched a military operation in Ukraine's east aimed at suppressing growing independence movements among local citizens.

NATO regulations do not allow countries involved in ongoing territorial disputes to become members.