According to official information, immediately after the annexation of four regions by Russia, Ukraine intends to apply for accelerated membership of NATO. “Actually, we have already joined NATO,” President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Friday. “Today Ukraine is applying to do so de jure,” he added. Zelenskyy justified his demand with Ukraine’s importance for the defense of Western society.
According to the 44-year-old, Ukraine is ready to join because cooperation with the military alliance is working and the country has demonstrated its ability to integrate Western weapons technology during the fight against Russia. “We trust each other, we help each other, we defend each other,” he said in a video speech.
Stoltenberg: “Open Door Policy”
Following the application for admission, NATO Secretary General Jens emphasized the alliance’s open-door policy. “We have repeatedly stated that the door to NATO will remain open,” the Norwegian said on Friday in Brussels, when asked if NATO was considering fulfilling Ukraine’s request. Kyiv had previously announced that he wanted to apply to join NATO.
generally considered Prerequisite for joining NATOthat the candidate for accession should not be involved in international conflicts and disputes over borders. Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 24 and has since defended itself from the war of aggression. In addition, Russia annexed the Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea to the Black Sea in 2014. Russia wants to prevent further eastward NATO expansion. Moscow fears that Ukraine’s accession could upset the strategic balance with the United States.
Stoltenberg emphasized that every democracy in Europe has the right to apply for NATO membership. Allies respect that. However, a decision must be taken by consensus among all member states. The current focus is on direct support for Ukraine. “This is the main focus and main effort of NATO allies,” Stoltenberg said.
US sees no need for accelerated procedure
Currently, the US sees no need for an accelerated procedure for Ukraine’s accession to NATO. “Our view is that the best way to help Ukraine is through practical assistance on the ground. And that the Brussels case should be picked up at another time,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan said in Washington. . At the same time, he emphasized that all decisions on NATO membership fall within the competence of both membership candidates and alliance members.
Baltic States approve membership application
The Baltic EU and NATO states of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania are in favor of an accelerated process for Ukraine’s NATO membership. “Ukraine’s Baltic friends fully support Ukraine’s admission to NATO as soon as possible,” Foreign Ministers Urmas Reinsalu (Estonia), Edgars Rinkevics (Latvia) and Gabrielius Landsbergis (Lithuania) wrote verbatim on Twitter Friday night. -fair.
“Ukraine’s inspiring courage can only strengthen our alliance.” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi had previously announced that he would apply for accelerated NATO membership following Russia’s formal annexation of four Ukrainian regions. Germany and the US expressed reservations about this. The Baltic States are internationally considered the defenders of Ukraine, which was attacked by Russia. (apa)