Ukraine's accession to NATO is irreversible process - Rutte

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said that all NATO member states have agreed to Ukraine's membership, adding that this issue cannot be part of the peace talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

He said this, commenting on russia's demand for NATO to stop its eastward expansion as a condition for peace, LRT reports.

"As for Ukraine, in Washington all 32 allies have clearly stated that Ukraine's accession to NATO is an irreversible process. Without an end date, not understanding this as part of a peace settlement, but clearly as a long-term commitment of the 32 allies, and we are building this bridge right now," he said.

It is noted that although numerous NATO communiqués mentioned Ukraine's membership in the alliance, this commitment was questioned in February last year, when US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that it was unrealistic.

"The United States does not believe that Ukraine's membership in NATO is a realistic outcome of a negotiated settlement. Instead, any security guarantees must be backed up by capable European and non-European forces. To be clear, any security guarantees will not involve the deployment of U.S. troops to Ukraine," Hegseth said on February 12.

According to Rutte, Ukraine will be on the agenda at the upcoming NATO summit in The Hague.

"We will make sure that Ukraine has everything it needs to continue the fight to end this terrible russian aggression against Ukraine," he said.

As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy to Ukraine Keith Kellogg said that Washington recognizes the validity of russia's concerns about NATO expansion and is ready to negotiate on this topic.

Meanwhile, Zelenskyy believes that if Ukraine is not present at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) summit in June, it will be a victory for the leader of the aggressor country, russia, vladimir putin, over NATO.

To request a correction, please send an email.