A new political uncertainty regarding Ukraine’s desire to quickly join NATO. Mark Rutte, the NATO Secretary General, avoided giving a clear answer on this topic, only suggesting that allies are doing everything possible to place Ukraine “in a position of strength.” In his message at the end of the meeting in Brussels, Rutte outlined NATO’s current priority.
“Let’s not forget that in 2008, already in Bucharest, the decision was made that Ukraine’s future would be within NATO, and we had the decision in Washington about the irreversible path to NATO. And practically, since the beginning of 2022, countries have been working on bilateral agreements with Ukraine to ensure that we do everything to put them in a position of strength. We commit. We have the command in Wiesbaden, building the bridge to NATO.
But I think what allies agree on is that the priority now should be to get Ukraine into this position and start negotiations from a position of strength with the Russians. That is now priority number one, two, and three, and that’s why I avoid adding my thoughts to the many thoughts currently unfolding about what peace talks might look like, who should be at the table, what security guarantees there might be because first, we have to take the first step. And the first step is to ensure that Ukraine, from behind, is now in a position of strength, meaning it changes the trajectory. That’s why I use this word, to ensure they can start those talks. I know Zelensky and his team have the best people around them to think about possibly navigating this discussion,” said NATO’s Secretary General.
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Meanwhile, Luxembourg’s foreign minister Xavier Bettel opposed Ukraine’s NATO membership. “I believe NATO membership would bring tensions again.” Also, he noted that Ukraine’s joining NATO could immediately lead to new conflicts. Instead, he expressed support for Ukraine’s EU membership.
After the meeting, the NATO head stated that this winter could be Ukraine’s most taught since 2022 and that “ministers agreed on a set of proactive measures to counter Russia’s hostile and cyber activities.”
(VIDEO) NATO chief worried about Ukrainians: It could be Ukraine’s worst winter since 2022