MEP and the former Prime Minister of Lithuania Andrius Kubilius believes that Ukraine no longer needs any NATO Membership Action Plan (MAP), as it already meets most criteria.

"Of course, something needs to be developed, particularly civil control over armed forces, which is important for democracies. But Ukraine has already shown that your military force and your military organisation exceed all NATO criteria. So I do not think there is a need to talk about criteria," said Kubilius in an interview with "European Pravda" (Ukr).

According to him, NATO summit in Vilnius in July may become a preparation platform for Ukraine's accession. The final decision can be made in Washington in December.

"And when anyone says: "Let's grant Ukraine with another MAP, not membership." So I answer that Ukraine doesn't need a MAP, but some western capitals do. So they change their understanding of the situation. So they give up this: "No need to provoke Putin," the MEP added.

Kubilius also believes that Ukraine can join the EU in 2029.

You can watch the full interview with Andrius Kubilius in Ukrainian on our YouTube channel.