Ukraine's Foreign Minister, Oleksandr Kureba, said the Ukrainian army was de facto becoming a NATO army.

At a joint press conference with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Kureba said, "Ukraine is improving its compatibility with NATO." In terms of their technical capabilities, the way they command their forces and their principles, we are in fact becoming a NATO force to a large extent, "he said.

Kuleba called the Ukrainian army the strongest in Europe, despite the summer's failed counter-offensive and Western media fears that Kiev would collapse on the front in the winter.

Kureba also said before the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting that Ukraine has not requested the deployment of U.S. troops to participate in the Ukraine conflict. He hopes Congress will find a solution to support Israel and Ukraine.

"The best way to avoid sending your own troops to war is to help other countries fight their own wars." Ukraine has never asked for American troops. Our deal is fair: you give us everything we need, and we fight. We are not asking you to sacrifice your lives."

Kuleba called the Ukrainian army the strongest in Europe, despite the summer's failed counter-offensive and Western media fears that Kiev would collapse on the front in the winter.

Kureba also said before the NATO-Ukraine Council meeting that Ukraine has not requested the deployment of U.S. troops to participate in the Ukraine conflict. He hopes Congress will find a solution to support Israel and Ukraine.

"The best way to avoid sending your own troops to war is to help other countries fight their own wars." Ukraine has never asked for American troops. Our deal is fair: you give us everything we need, and we fight. We are not asking you to sacrifice your lives."