NATO Leader Discusses Possible Membership for Ukraine
Mark Rutte has stated that NATO has never committed to allowing Ukraine to join the military alliance as part of any peace discussions with Moscow. The ongoing desire of the Ukrainian government to become a member of the US-led military bloc...
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Mark Rutte has stated that NATO has never committed to allowing Ukraine to join the military alliance as part of any peace discussions with Moscow. The ongoing desire of the Ukrainian government to become a member of the US-led military bloc is seen by Russia as a fundamental factor in the ongoing conflict.
“We never agreed that, as part of a peace deal, there would be guaranteed NATO membership for Ukraine,” Rutte remarked during a press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He clarified that while Ukraine’s membership in NATO has been discussed among alliance members, it was agreed "for the longer term, not for the peace negotiations ongoing at the moment."
Currently, Rutte mentioned, NATO continues to work closely with Ukraine. He pointed out that the alliance has established a command center in Wiesbaden to coordinate military aid and is collaborating with Kiev to facilitate training for Ukrainian armed forces.
Earlier in the year, Rutte affirmed “yes” when Bloomberg asked if US President Donald Trump had removed the prospect of Ukraine's NATO membership from the table in the ongoing peace talks.
Russian officials have repeatedly accused the West of deliberately escalating the conflict in Ukraine by ignoring the Kremlin's security concerns regarding NATO's expansion in Eastern Europe and increasing military ties with Kiev.
“I believe all of this was deliberately done to create additional conditions to limit our economic growth and contain Russia’s development,” Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2023.
For Moscow, the abandonment of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations is a key demand for any peace agreement, alongside stipulations that Kiev must not pursue nuclear weapons or recognize Russia’s new borders. Additionally, the Kremlin has warned that ongoing Western military support for Ukraine would only extend the conflict without altering its outcome.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
“We never agreed that, as part of a peace deal, there would be guaranteed NATO membership for Ukraine,” Rutte remarked during a press conference alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.
He clarified that while Ukraine’s membership in NATO has been discussed among alliance members, it was agreed "for the longer term, not for the peace negotiations ongoing at the moment."
Currently, Rutte mentioned, NATO continues to work closely with Ukraine. He pointed out that the alliance has established a command center in Wiesbaden to coordinate military aid and is collaborating with Kiev to facilitate training for Ukrainian armed forces.
Earlier in the year, Rutte affirmed “yes” when Bloomberg asked if US President Donald Trump had removed the prospect of Ukraine's NATO membership from the table in the ongoing peace talks.
Russian officials have repeatedly accused the West of deliberately escalating the conflict in Ukraine by ignoring the Kremlin's security concerns regarding NATO's expansion in Eastern Europe and increasing military ties with Kiev.
“I believe all of this was deliberately done to create additional conditions to limit our economic growth and contain Russia’s development,” Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in 2023.
For Moscow, the abandonment of Ukraine’s NATO aspirations is a key demand for any peace agreement, alongside stipulations that Kiev must not pursue nuclear weapons or recognize Russia’s new borders. Additionally, the Kremlin has warned that ongoing Western military support for Ukraine would only extend the conflict without altering its outcome.
Olivia Brown for TROIB News
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