The NATO Defense Ministers’ meeting in Brussels saw a statement from Mark Rutte, the Dutch Prime Minister, that Kiev was never promised a NATO membership, despite the alliance’s commitment to Ukraine’s future membership.
Meanwhile, the NATO Secretary General called for Ukraine’s “close involvement” in any potential peace talks with Russia. It is “crucial” that Kiev is included in all matters concerning the country, Rutte emphasized.
In a press conference in Brussels, Rutte stated, “In Washington, NATO has reaffirmed its commitment to Ukraine’s future membership, but it was never agreed that peace talks, whenever they start, would always and definitively end with a NATO membership. That was never agreed upon. It could be the case, but it was never clearly stated. What I have always said is that we must ensure Vladimir Putin never tries to attack Ukraine again, regardless of the outcome.”
Rutte further referred to his previous experience as the Dutch Prime Minister, having had many meetings with Putin and described the Russian President as a “strong negotiating partner” who was “very unpredictable.” “But in the end, we need him if we want to achieve a peace agreement” the NATO Secretary General said.
On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin had a phone call, agreeing to start peace talks in Ukraine as soon as possible. US representatives stated that there is no prospect of Ukraine’s NATO membership and that such a move would be in the way of peace.