Kiev Claims 'No justification' for German Position on Ukraine Joining NATO
Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Olga Stefanishina, has stated that Berlin's stance against Kiev's NATO membership lacks justification. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishina has voiced frustration over Germany's refusal to support Ukraine's accession to NATO.
Stefanishina, who is also Ukraine's top official for European integration, described Germany's position as unreasonable. In a recent interview with PMG, excerpts of which were released on Thursday, she addressed the reluctance of several NATO members to advance Ukraine's membership aspirations.
She criticized Berlin's stance as lacking "justification," noting that German policy regarding NATO has remained unchanged for decades. Stefanishina remarked, “It’s really hard to work with a country where there is no reason behind this negative position.”
In light of the conflict, European NATO members are considering the potential deployment of troops for a peacekeeping mission, should a ceasefire be established. Stefanishina expressed that Ukraine is “ready to speak about whatever works,” which includes the presence of foreign forces on its territory.
The military alliance initially expressed intentions to include Ukraine in 2008 when then-U.S. President George W. Bush advocated for offering Kiev a NATO Membership Action Plan, despite hesitations from some European nations, including Germany. In her memoirs, former Chancellor Angela Merkel disclosed that she opposed this move, fearing that it would be perceived by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “declaration of war.”
Russian officials have claimed that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine stems from NATO's refusal to address Moscow's concerns over its European expansion and the military backing supplied to Kiev, asserting that Russia desires Ukraine to remain neutral.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been vocal about seeking a formal invitation to join NATO, arguing that such a step would deter Moscow from further aggression. Following a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Paris last week, he stated it made “no sense” to engage in discussions with the incoming leader, opting instead to communicate with outgoing President Joe Biden.
Stefanishina raised doubts about Zelensky's approach, remarking that it was “hard to discuss [NATO] membership in the last moments of the [Biden] administration.” She emphasized that “the best way to build a dialogue is simply to meet with President Trump.”
One advisor to Trump, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity regarding the Paris meeting, remarked that Zelensky appeared to be “overplaying his hand” given the precarious situation Ukraine faces on the battlefield.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
Stefanishina, who is also Ukraine's top official for European integration, described Germany's position as unreasonable. In a recent interview with PMG, excerpts of which were released on Thursday, she addressed the reluctance of several NATO members to advance Ukraine's membership aspirations.
She criticized Berlin's stance as lacking "justification," noting that German policy regarding NATO has remained unchanged for decades. Stefanishina remarked, “It’s really hard to work with a country where there is no reason behind this negative position.”
In light of the conflict, European NATO members are considering the potential deployment of troops for a peacekeeping mission, should a ceasefire be established. Stefanishina expressed that Ukraine is “ready to speak about whatever works,” which includes the presence of foreign forces on its territory.
The military alliance initially expressed intentions to include Ukraine in 2008 when then-U.S. President George W. Bush advocated for offering Kiev a NATO Membership Action Plan, despite hesitations from some European nations, including Germany. In her memoirs, former Chancellor Angela Merkel disclosed that she opposed this move, fearing that it would be perceived by Russian President Vladimir Putin as a “declaration of war.”
Russian officials have claimed that the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine stems from NATO's refusal to address Moscow's concerns over its European expansion and the military backing supplied to Kiev, asserting that Russia desires Ukraine to remain neutral.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has been vocal about seeking a formal invitation to join NATO, arguing that such a step would deter Moscow from further aggression. Following a meeting with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump in Paris last week, he stated it made “no sense” to engage in discussions with the incoming leader, opting instead to communicate with outgoing President Joe Biden.
Stefanishina raised doubts about Zelensky's approach, remarking that it was “hard to discuss [NATO] membership in the last moments of the [Biden] administration.” She emphasized that “the best way to build a dialogue is simply to meet with President Trump.”
One advisor to Trump, who spoke to Reuters on the condition of anonymity regarding the Paris meeting, remarked that Zelensky appeared to be “overplaying his hand” given the precarious situation Ukraine faces on the battlefield.
Alejandro Jose Martinez for TROIB News
