Ukraine has become a de facto member of the Nato alliance, the Ukrainian defence minister says, as Western countries, once concerned that military assistance could be seen as an escalation by Russia, change their “thinking approach”.
In an interview with the BBC, Oleksii Reznikov said he was sure Ukraine would receive long-sought weapons, including tanks and fighter jets, as both Ukraine and Russia seemed to be preparing for new offensives in the spring.
“This concern about the next level of escalation, for me, is some kind of protocol,” Mr Reznikov said.
“Ukraine as a country, and the armed forces of Ukraine, became [a] member of Nato. De facto, not de jure (by law). Because we have weaponry, and the understanding of how to use it.”
#Ukraine: A Russian T-72B tank was destroyed in Marinka, #Donetsk Oblast by a Ukrainian commercial drone with a HEAT munition installed.
A Russian BMP and T-72B3 tank were also hit by the same drones but the results are unclear. pic.twitter.com/Ehuw0TPJVz
— 🇺🇦 Ukraine Weapons Tracker (@UAWeapons) January 12, 2023
