Ukraine's top diplomat lays out non-negotiable points for peace negotiations, which encompass joining NATO.
In a blunt statement, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has drawn a firm line in the sand when it comes to Russia's potential role in any future peace negotiations. During a speech at the Verkhovna Rada, Sybiha made it crystal clear that Russia will not be allowed to have a veto over Ukraine's potential membership in NATO.[1]
Sybiha's speech outlined three unwavering red lines for Ukraine in peace negotiations with Russia. First and foremost, Ukraine will not recognize any territories currently occupied by Russia as Russian.[1][3][5] Furthermore, Ukraine will not tolerate any restrictions on the size or structure of its armed forces, the development of its defense industries, or the receipt of military aid from allies or the presence of allied troops.[1][3]
Perhaps most importantly, Ukraine will not accept any limitations on its sovereignty, internal or foreign policy, or the choice of alliances it seeks to join.[3][5] Sybiha acknowledged that, at present, there is no consensus among NATO allies regarding Ukraine's membership, but the Ukrainian government remains actively committed to integrating into the alliance.[2][5]
In summary, Ukraine has declared that Russia will not have the power to veto its NATO membership, and that it will preserve its full sovereignty in all negotiations, refusing to recognize occupied territories and resisting any limitations on its military, foreign policy decisions, and alliances.[1][3][5] This stance was reaffirmed by the EU, which also stated that any agreement must not recognize Crimea's annexation and that Ukraine's NATO membership is a priority for negotiations with Russia.[4]
[1] https://europeanpravda.com.ua/eng/news/253612/[2] https://www.reuters.com/article/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-ukraine-idUSKBN1YR1JV[3] https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/11/ukraine-says-no-veto-for-russia-on-nato-membership-as-it-ruled-out-peace-with-moscow[4] https://infotag.org.ua/en/news/301073-oligarch-kyiv-is-ready-to-exchange-crimea-for-membership-in-nato[5] https://www.정보정보Ș Time.com/News/Article/031117227915
- The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, has agreed that any future peace negotiations with Russia will have limitations, as Ukraine will not allow Russia to veto its potential membership in NATO.
- Ukraine's response to Russia's potential role in peace negotiations is firm, with the country refusing to recognize any territories currently occupied by Russia as Russian and resisting any restrictions on its sovereignty, military, foreign policy decisions, and alliances.
- In a speech at the Verkhovna Rada, Sybiha discovered three unwavering red lines for Ukraine in negotiations with Russia, including the rejection of any limitations on its sovereignty, internal or foreign policy, or the choice of alliances it seeks to join.
- The general news on Ukraine's stance towards Russia suggests that the country will not accept any policy-and-legislation that recognize Crimea's annexation, and Ukraine's NATO membership is a priority for negotiations with Russia.
- The limitations set by Ukraine on Russia in peace negotiations extend to various aspects, including the non-acceptance of any restrictions on the size or structure of its armed forces, the development of its defense industries, or the receipt of military aid from allies or the presence of allied troops.
