Ukraine's defence minister Oleksii Reznikov says the country is a "de facto" member of the NATO alliance.
Oleksii Reznikov claims that Ukraine is a 'de facto' member of NATO
Reznikov is certain that Ukraine will receive weapons, including tanks and fighter jets, as both sides prepare for new war offensives in the spring.
He said: "This concern about the next level of escalation, for me, is some kind of protocol.
"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."
Leading figures in Russia have argued they are fighting NATO in Ukraine as the West has supplied the nation with weapons but Reznikov has denied claims that his comments will be seen to fan the flames of the war.
He said: "Why (would it be) controversial? It's true. It's a fact. I'm sure that in the near future, we'll become a member of NATO, de jure."
Reznikov says that Ukraine needed time to regroup as it waits for the delivery of Western weapons in preparation for a fresh assault in the spring.
He said: "Spring is the best period to refresh the movement from all sides. We understand they'll be ready to start and, surely, we have to be ready to start."