NATO will not compromise with Russia on Ukraine’s membership in the Alliance.
This was stated by the Secretary General of the organization Jens Stoltenberg during a press conference with the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna, writes UA.
As you know, today a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission is taking place in Brussels. The main topic of the talks is the build-up of Russian troops on the borders of Ukraine.
“We continue to provide support for Ukraine, political support for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine, and practical assistance through trust funds and the activities of the NATO office in Kyiv. We help carry out reforms, modernize the Armed Forces of Ukraine. We are helping Ukraine on its way to NATO membership so that it meets the standards of the North Atlantic Alliance” – Stoltenberg said.
According to Stefanishyna, the requirements of the Russian Federation to our partners cannot be considered a position in the negotiations.
“I intend to convey to our partners the utmost clarity about the security situation at the borders in Ukraine, including the implementation of the Minsk and Normandy agreements. We must all understand that Russia’s demands on our partners cannot be viewed as a negotiating position. The aggressor is not in the circumstances to set conditions while Russian tanks are on the Ukrainian border. We see how Russia is trying to switch to another topic, intimidating with a new war, without taking any steps towards a peaceful settlement of the situation” – she said.
As you know, from 10 to 13 January, a number of events related to security and peace will be held in Europe. So, on January 10, a bilateral strategic stability dialogue (SSD) between the United States and Russia will take place in Geneva, and a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine commission will take place in Brussels. On January 11-12, the US delegation will hold consultations with the NATO leadership, NATO allies and EU officials on European security issues in the context of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. On January 11, the US delegation will meet with EU officials and, together with allies, prepare for the Russia-NATO Council meeting. On January 12, a meeting of the Russia-NATO Council will take place in Brussels. On January 13, a meeting of the OSCE Permanent Council will take place in Vienna.
Read also: Russia’s Military Escalation Against Ukraine (LIVE UPDATES)