NATO Member Issues Corruption Warning to Ukraine
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans reportedly states that NATO members are divided on the question of accepting Ukraine into the alliance. Read Full Article at RT.com.
TroibNews 
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated on Friday, as reported by Reuters, that NATO member states must reach a consensus on the stringent criteria necessary for Ukraine’s potential accession to the US-led military bloc. He emphasized that corruption issues in Kiev may need to be addressed for acceptance.
This remark follows Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's recent presentation of his anticipated ‘victory plan,’ which includes an immediate request for NATO membership among other demands. Zelensky believes that there are no alternative means for ensuring Ukraine's security.
Brekelmans, whose nation is one of NATO's 32 member countries, pointed out that the allies have “very different opinions” regarding Ukraine’s potential membership. He remarked, “If you don’t have that clarity upfront, I don’t see that 32 allies agree to granting an invitation,” further stressing that addressing corruption is a critical requirement for Ukraine.
He also noted, “If you want to modernize the Ukrainian armed forces, and involve other countries, then I can imagine that you also want to assess the progress that Ukrainians make on that dimension.”
NATO countries have shown hesitance in fast-tracking Ukraine's invitation to the alliance, mainly due to concerns about becoming involved in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Nonetheless, the alliance has recognized that it represents 99% of all military aid provided to Ukraine from abroad.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that if Western nations permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets within Russia, it would signify that NATO is “at war” with Moscow. Zelensky has consistently urged the lifting of restrictions on Western-supplied long-range weapons to enable Ukraine to strike airfields, ammunition depots, and command centers in Russia.
In an interview with Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Brekelmans remarked that there is reluctance to “transfer the war with Russia to NATO,” indicating that discussions about Ukraine's membership could only commence once the conflict is resolved.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has highlighted that “there is still work to be done” for Ukraine, including the implementation of crucial reforms and the fulfillment of specific security criteria, to facilitate NATO membership.
Russia has expressed opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. The nation’s foreign ministry has warned that such a development would “put an end to” efforts to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic means, leading to inevitable involvement of the alliance in hostilities against Russia and potential uncontrolled escalation.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
This remark follows Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky's recent presentation of his anticipated ‘victory plan,’ which includes an immediate request for NATO membership among other demands. Zelensky believes that there are no alternative means for ensuring Ukraine's security.
Brekelmans, whose nation is one of NATO's 32 member countries, pointed out that the allies have “very different opinions” regarding Ukraine’s potential membership. He remarked, “If you don’t have that clarity upfront, I don’t see that 32 allies agree to granting an invitation,” further stressing that addressing corruption is a critical requirement for Ukraine.
He also noted, “If you want to modernize the Ukrainian armed forces, and involve other countries, then I can imagine that you also want to assess the progress that Ukrainians make on that dimension.”
NATO countries have shown hesitance in fast-tracking Ukraine's invitation to the alliance, mainly due to concerns about becoming involved in the ongoing conflict with Russia. Nonetheless, the alliance has recognized that it represents 99% of all military aid provided to Ukraine from abroad.
In September, Russian President Vladimir Putin cautioned that if Western nations permit Ukraine to use long-range weapons against targets within Russia, it would signify that NATO is “at war” with Moscow. Zelensky has consistently urged the lifting of restrictions on Western-supplied long-range weapons to enable Ukraine to strike airfields, ammunition depots, and command centers in Russia.
In an interview with Dutch public broadcaster NOS, Brekelmans remarked that there is reluctance to “transfer the war with Russia to NATO,” indicating that discussions about Ukraine's membership could only commence once the conflict is resolved.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan has highlighted that “there is still work to be done” for Ukraine, including the implementation of crucial reforms and the fulfillment of specific security criteria, to facilitate NATO membership.
Russia has expressed opposition to Ukraine joining NATO. The nation’s foreign ministry has warned that such a development would “put an end to” efforts to resolve the conflict through political and diplomatic means, leading to inevitable involvement of the alliance in hostilities against Russia and potential uncontrolled escalation.
Allen M Lee for TROIB News
