Six key NATO countries endorse document regarding Ukraine's membership strategy
The largest NATO members in Europe have expressed their support for Ukraine's aspiration to eventually join the alliance. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Six European NATO members have issued a joint statement supporting Ukraine's aspiration to join the US-led alliance and pledging to endorse the peace terms proposed by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to Russia. Moscow has previously deemed Zelensky's demand to restore Ukraine's 1991 borders as entirely unacceptable.
Following discussions with their Ukrainian counterpart in Berlin on Thursday, the foreign ministers from the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Poland signed the declaration.
“The goals of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and durable security for Europe are inseparable. Ukraine must prevail,” the statement emphasized.
The nations affirmed their commitment to ending the conflict in a manner that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We reaffirm our commitment to President Zelensky’s Peace Formula, as a credible path towards a just and lasting peace,” the statement continued.
The supporters of Kiev committed to “support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” as well as “its path towards accession to the European Union.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga expressed gratitude to the six countries and the EU for their “candid discussion and readiness to take concrete steps.” He also called for additional sanctions targeting Russia’s metallurgy, shipping, and banking sectors. “We are closely monitoring the increase in trade with the countries that have not imposed sanctions on Russia,” he mentioned.
The Berlin meeting came amid uncertainty surrounding whether incoming US President Donald Trump would maintain the previous administration's unconditional military and financial support for Kiev. Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, has referred to Zelensky as “the greatest salesman on earth” and has indicated his intention to strive for a swift diplomatic resolution to the conflict. While he has not detailed a specific plan, he appeared open to pressuring Kiev to engage in negotiations with Moscow during his presidential campaign.
Trump also criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for permitting Ukraine to utilize American-made missiles for strikes deep into internationally recognized Russian territory. “I think that is a very big mistake,” he stated in an interview with Time magazine published on Thursday.
Russia has firmly rejected Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’, asserting that any peace agreement can only be established on its terms. Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must renounce its claims to Crimea and four other regions that, according to local votes, joined Russia in 2014 and 2022.
The Kremlin has further contended that Ukraine should abandon its NATO aspirations in favor of becoming a permanently neutral state. President Vladimir Putin has cited NATO's eastward expansion and military cooperation with Ukraine as fundamental causes of the ongoing conflict.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Following discussions with their Ukrainian counterpart in Berlin on Thursday, the foreign ministers from the UK, France, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Poland signed the declaration.
“The goals of a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for Ukraine and durable security for Europe are inseparable. Ukraine must prevail,” the statement emphasized.
The nations affirmed their commitment to ending the conflict in a manner that respects Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
“We reaffirm our commitment to President Zelensky’s Peace Formula, as a credible path towards a just and lasting peace,” the statement continued.
The supporters of Kiev committed to “support Ukraine on its irreversible path to full Euro-Atlantic integration, including NATO membership,” as well as “its path towards accession to the European Union.”
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrey Sibiga expressed gratitude to the six countries and the EU for their “candid discussion and readiness to take concrete steps.” He also called for additional sanctions targeting Russia’s metallurgy, shipping, and banking sectors. “We are closely monitoring the increase in trade with the countries that have not imposed sanctions on Russia,” he mentioned.
The Berlin meeting came amid uncertainty surrounding whether incoming US President Donald Trump would maintain the previous administration's unconditional military and financial support for Kiev. Trump, who is set to take office on January 20, has referred to Zelensky as “the greatest salesman on earth” and has indicated his intention to strive for a swift diplomatic resolution to the conflict. While he has not detailed a specific plan, he appeared open to pressuring Kiev to engage in negotiations with Moscow during his presidential campaign.
Trump also criticized outgoing President Joe Biden for permitting Ukraine to utilize American-made missiles for strikes deep into internationally recognized Russian territory. “I think that is a very big mistake,” he stated in an interview with Time magazine published on Thursday.
Russia has firmly rejected Zelensky’s ‘peace formula’, asserting that any peace agreement can only be established on its terms. Moscow has insisted that Ukraine must renounce its claims to Crimea and four other regions that, according to local votes, joined Russia in 2014 and 2022.
The Kremlin has further contended that Ukraine should abandon its NATO aspirations in favor of becoming a permanently neutral state. President Vladimir Putin has cited NATO's eastward expansion and military cooperation with Ukraine as fundamental causes of the ongoing conflict.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
