Former US Ambassador to NATO Kurt Volker believes that the fastest way to end the war in Ukraine may be the country’s early admission to the North Atlantic Alliance.
He argues that in this case, the continuation of the war in Ukraine will be pointless for Putin, and destructive for Russia. The delay in the decision to admit Ukraine to NATO encourages the Putin regime to endlessly continue the war, US Representative for Ukraine Kurt Volker said at a conference in the European Parliament. While emphasizing that this is his personal point of view, quotes Ukrinform of the American diplomat:
“I am convinced that NATO policy today unintentionally sends a signal to Putin to continue fighting. Because we say that Ukraine will become a member in the long term, but we cannot bring it into NATO while this war continues. This is an incentive for Putin to continue the war “I really think it’s time for us to send the exact opposite message – that Ukraine will become a NATO member as quickly as possible.”
According to Volker, putting such an intention into practice is not at all as difficult as it is believed. The diplomat acknowledged that there is some concern that Ukraine’s membership could lead to escalation, the risk of the use of nuclear weapons or a direct clash between NATO and Russian troops. This needs to be taken into account, but it can all be resolved:
“We can say, in particular, in the format of the NATO-Ukraine Council, what Article 5 of the Washington Treaty will mean for Ukraine, and what steps the Alliance will take in accordance with this article to protect Ukraine. The article does not contain specific obligations to send troops, “she talks about a collective response. We have such a collective response even now, because NATO already provides training, equipment, intelligence data to Ukraine.”
Volker stressed that NATO can do more to help Ukraine. In particular, this concerns the provision of mine clearance capabilities, including sea clearance, which will open routes in the Black Sea. NATO may launch missions to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea, which denies Russia’s claims to the right to attack civilian ships of third countries in international waters – such actions by the Russian Federation are tantamount to piracy. The diplomat noted:
“NATO can also join directly in Ukraine’s air defense. Providing the appropriate equipment is a good start, things are better now than before. But I think the alliance can do more by directly helping Ukraine with air defense.”
He noted that Ukraine borders on NATO countries in the west, which makes it possible to use the opportunities for air protection of large settlements or civilian infrastructure.
Earlier, former Secretary General of the North Atlantic Alliance Anders Fogh Rasmussen made a proposal that Ukraine could be admitted to NATO, but “not extend guarantees of collective self-defense” to the territory under Russian occupation.
In turn, Sergei Ryabkov, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation, stated in an interview with Izvestia that he does not rule out an armed conflict between the Russian Federation and NATO – it will no longer be possible to improve relations. When asked whether armed conflict could be expected in the future, he replied:
“Depends on the North Atlantic Alliance. The choice is entirely on NATO’s side. We are ready, as has already been demonstrated, to defend our national interests with all the means at our disposal.”
He added that Russia’s interests cannot be “endlessly encroached upon” and that “the people who continue to test our strength have apparently come to believe that there are no limits to their own game of raising the stakes, but they may be among the losers.” on this site.” Ryabkov stated:
“I don’t think that relations between Russia and NATO will be restored in one form or another in the foreseeable future. This is excluded for reasons of both principle and practicality. If anyone in the West thinks that we need these relations, that we At some point we will come and ask for their restoration, then this is the biggest misconception.”
The official added: “Russia was previously ready to negotiate only on an equal and mutually respectful basis. And now, against the backdrop of what is happening, I can’t even imagine the situation and context in which this is possible.”
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