NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine's accession to the Alliance is a definitive decision that will not be a part of negotiations with Russia.
Source: Rutte shared these thoughts in an interview with the "We-Ukraine" channel.
Details: The NATO leader confirmed that the resolution made at the Washington Summit in 2024 regarding the irreversible path for Ukraine's membership remains relevant.
Direct quote: "Ukraine's path to NATO is irreversible. This was determined at the Washington Summit, and nothing has changed. When we said that Ukraine would one day become a NATO member, we never meant it would be part of a peace agreement."
Details: According to Rutte, the West's goal is to ensure "genuine peace" for Ukraine, rather than merely freezing the conflict like the Minsk agreements.
Direct quote: "Of course, what the American president is working on is achieving lasting peace for Ukraine. We are talking not about Minsk-3, but about a true ceasefire and a peace agreement."
Also read: The battle for membership and against Russia: how Ukraine and allies are laying the groundwork for the NATO summit in The Hague.
Background:
- U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he does not see a possibility for Ukraine to join NATO due to Russia's position. Trump believes Ukraine's absence from NATO is part of the diplomatic resolution of the war.
- Future German Chancellor Friedrich Merz stated that Ukraine cannot become either an EU or NATO member while in a state of war.