He made the remarks in an interview with Independence Avenue Media, Ukrinform reports.

Asked about Ukraine's membership in NATO, Esper said that the most important step at present is to send a clear signal that would reassure other NATO allies, strengthen Ukraine's position, and further deter Russia. Given concerns about Ukraine's ongoing war with Russia, he suggested an approach under which the temporarily occupied territories would not initially be covered by NATO security guarantees, or alternatively, that Ukraine could join the Alliance with certain conditions or after a transitional period.

Esper also stated that Ukraine's military is unquestionably the most combat-capable and experienced force in Europe today.

Esper said that Ukraine was fighting against an army that was many times larger in terms of personnel. He noted that the aggressor state had an economy roughly ten times larger and a population about four times greater than Ukraine's. Despite this, he said, Ukrainians had not only stopped the Russian offensive but had effectively brought the war to a stalemate. He added that if the question was whether Ukraine would strengthen NATO's security, the answer was unequivocally yes.

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Esper added that Ukraine has become a global innovator in drone warfare, counter-drone operations, new battlefield tactics, and military doctrine. In his view, the United States has much to learn from the Ukrainian military.

As Ukrinform previously reported, President Volodymyr Zelensky said at the NATO Defense Industry Forum on July 7 that Ukraine has gained unique experience in modern warfare and that its defense and security capabilities would significantly strengthen the Alliance if it became a member.

Photo: Will Noonan, ADC