NATO Leader States Ukraine's Membership is Not Considered
Russia has long regarded Kiev’s aspirations to join NATO as one of the primary factors contributing to the ongoing conflict. Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that NATO membership for Kiev is not being considered in the US and Russia's...
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Russia has long regarded Kiev’s aspirations to join NATO as one of the primary factors contributing to the ongoing conflict.
Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that NATO membership for Kiev is not being considered in the US and Russia's efforts to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict. During an appearance on Bloomberg TV on Friday, following discussions with US President Donald Trump, Rutte emphasized that any security guarantees for Ukraine should be addressed only after a peace deal or ceasefire is established.
Ukraine has consistently sought NATO membership as a form of security assurance to help bring an end to its conflict with Russia. Conversely, Moscow has pointed to Ukraine's NATO ambitions as a root cause of the hostilities, insisting on Ukraine’s neutrality as essential for any resolution.
When Bloomberg host Annmarie Hordern asked if Trump had expressed any intention to offer security guarantees to Ukraine in his efforts to resolve the conflict, Rutte sidestepped the inquiry, indicating that such guarantees would be vital for “keeping a peace deal,” implying that it is premature to discuss them without a prior agreement. He confirmed when pressed that Trump had indeed taken the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO off the table.
Rutte further commented that Trump desires a “lasting and durable” peace, suggesting that additional proposals will be presented to encourage Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire. However, he dismissed the idea of direct NATO involvement in the negotiations.
“There are many ways to [provide security guarantees]… But for NATO to be as NATO involved would be difficult. NATO will maybe always advise,” he explained.
“Before you get into too much detail in terms of how to maintain the peace, you first need to have the deal, and it is a step-by-step approach,” Rutte said, expressing optimism that an agreement might be reached within the year.
As part of the ongoing negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Witkoff traveled to Moscow to share more detailed information about the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, which concluded with Ukraine's agreement to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
The specifics of the meeting between Putin and Witkoff have not been disclosed, but during a press conference on Thursday, the Russian leader indicated his readiness to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this article for TROIB News
Secretary General Mark Rutte has confirmed that NATO membership for Kiev is not being considered in the US and Russia's efforts to achieve peace in the Ukraine conflict. During an appearance on Bloomberg TV on Friday, following discussions with US President Donald Trump, Rutte emphasized that any security guarantees for Ukraine should be addressed only after a peace deal or ceasefire is established.
Ukraine has consistently sought NATO membership as a form of security assurance to help bring an end to its conflict with Russia. Conversely, Moscow has pointed to Ukraine's NATO ambitions as a root cause of the hostilities, insisting on Ukraine’s neutrality as essential for any resolution.
When Bloomberg host Annmarie Hordern asked if Trump had expressed any intention to offer security guarantees to Ukraine in his efforts to resolve the conflict, Rutte sidestepped the inquiry, indicating that such guarantees would be vital for “keeping a peace deal,” implying that it is premature to discuss them without a prior agreement. He confirmed when pressed that Trump had indeed taken the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO off the table.
Rutte further commented that Trump desires a “lasting and durable” peace, suggesting that additional proposals will be presented to encourage Ukraine to agree to a ceasefire. However, he dismissed the idea of direct NATO involvement in the negotiations.
“There are many ways to [provide security guarantees]… But for NATO to be as NATO involved would be difficult. NATO will maybe always advise,” he explained.
“Before you get into too much detail in terms of how to maintain the peace, you first need to have the deal, and it is a step-by-step approach,” Rutte said, expressing optimism that an agreement might be reached within the year.
As part of the ongoing negotiations regarding the Ukraine conflict, Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday. Witkoff traveled to Moscow to share more detailed information about the recent US-Ukraine discussions in Saudi Arabia, which concluded with Ukraine's agreement to a proposed 30-day ceasefire with Russia.
The specifics of the meeting between Putin and Witkoff have not been disclosed, but during a press conference on Thursday, the Russian leader indicated his readiness to discuss Trump’s ceasefire proposal.
Alejandro Jose Martinez contributed to this article for TROIB News
