Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and then German Chancellor Angela Markel in Berlin.Stefanie Loos-Pool/Getty Images
The Ukrainian President condemned European leaders for their 2008 decision not to allow Ukraine to join NATO.
Zelenskyj’s comments followed shocking reports of mass casualties in Bucha, a suburb of Kyiv.
Germany and France rejected Ukraine’s application to join NATO during a 2008 summit.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy invited former German Chancellor Angela Merkel to see the mass graves in Bucha, saying they were the result of her 2008 decision not to let Ukraine join NATO.
Zelensky’s comments came in a Sunday address to the nation after shocking reports and images of mass civilian casualties emerged in Bucha, a Kyiv suburb retaken by Ukrainian forces last week.
In his speech, Zelenskyy accused Russia of “genocide” and singled out Merkel and Nicolas Sarkozy, the former president of France, for their roles at a 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, Romania.
“Then, in 2008, the refusal to admit Ukraine into the alliance was hidden under optimistic diplomatic statements that Ukraine could become a member of NATO. The absurd fear of some politicians towards Russia was hidden,” said Zelenskyy.
“They thought that by rejecting Ukraine, they would be able to appease Russia, convince it to respect Ukraine and live normally alongside us.”
He later added: “I invite Ms. Merkel and Mr. Sarkozy to visit Bucha and see what the policy of concessions towards Russia has led to in 14 years. To see the tortured Ukrainian men and women with their own eyes.”
During the 2008 summit, NATO leaders discussed proposals from Ukraine and Georgia to join the Membership Action Plan, which is required for any country wishing to qualify for NATO membership.
While then-US President George W. Bush was pushing for both countries to receive the MAP, Germany and France argued that such a move would increase tensions with Russia, which had firmly opposed Ukraine’s request.
In the end, the alliance did not take immediate action, but pledged that Ukraine and Georgia would eventually become NATO members, according to an official summary of the talks. They reiterated that promise at another NATO summit in Brussels in July.
The story goes on
Russia has continued to oppose NATO’s eastward expansion, citing this as a reason for invading Ukraine. Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24.
Last month, Zelenskyy said he accepted that his country cannot join NATO at this time, telling Western officials: “It is clear that Ukraine is not a member of NATO. We understand that.”
Ukraine offered never to join NATO during peace talks with Russia last week.
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