NATO not fixing Ukraine’s accession – DW – 07/11/2023 “absurd”

NATO began a two-day summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, seeking to bring Ukraine closer to the organization and strengthen its deterrence and defense capabilities against threats such as Russia and terrorism, with new regional programs and increased spending. In securing at least 2 percent of GDP.

On the way to the summit, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called it “absurd and unprecedented”. The Alliance will not provide an invitation date for your country And he promised that he had “signs” that there would be a declaration without direct accession once the war was over.

“The formula refers only to the invitation, not to Ukraine’s accession,” Zelensky said about the content of the statement the partners are negotiating.

The Ukrainian head of state complained that NATO leaders would prepare “conditions” for Ukraine not only to be accepted into NATO, but also to be invited to join it. “It seems that there is nothing to invite Ukraine to NATO or to be part of the alliance,” he stressed.

“Uncertainty is weakness”

“This means that the window of opportunity to negotiate Ukraine’s NATO membership in negotiations with Russia has opened. For Russia, this is a reason to continue terrorism“Added the Ukrainian president in his message published on his social networks.

Zelensky also complained that the possible formulation of the NATO declaration was being negotiated “without Ukraine”, and asserted that his country “deserves respect”.

“Uncertainty is weakness and I will speak openly about it at this summit,” concluded Zelensky’s message, setting off a tense crowd in the Lithuanian capital.

rml (efe, Reuters, updated at 15:33 CET)