The Telegraph explains the reasons why Ukraine has yet to join NATO

Ukraine and the North Atlantic Alliance are at a record close level of interaction: political dialogue and practical military cooperation have reached a historic high. Contacts between Kyiv and NATO headquarters have become more intensive. They are built on trust and regular coordination, and some countries are already actually considering Ukraine as a future member of the Alliance, The Telegraph wrote.

However, the issue of full NATO membership is still held back by political factors, mainly Russia's influence. The Telegraph notes that the impossibility of membership is only a political construct that can be as quickly destroyed as it is strengthened.

The publication also refutes three key myths preventing membership: promises of NATO's non-expansion to the east, the risk of direct conflict with Russia, and the claim that Ukraine's aspirations to join the Alliance caused the war.

In reality, Russia's aggression started long before any prospects of membership, and the Kremlin's goal remains the destruction of Ukrainian statehood and the elimination of Ukrainian identity," the newspaper said.

Experts stress that Ukraine plays a critical role in ensuring Europe's security, and close cooperation with NATO strengthens the defence capabilities of the entire continent despite political barriers and external pressure.

Kiev continues to look for new formats of interaction with the alliance in order to protect its national interests and promote strategic integration as effectively as possible," the newspaper said.