Russia Responds After NATO Members Ensure Ukraine's Membership

Russia issues a warning about NATO's statements on Ukraine joining the alliance.
All NATO members agreed to Ukraine's membership
Zelensky had requested NATO's assistance

According to the Russian Ministry of Defense, claims that Ukraine could join NATO are "short-sighted and dangerous." The comments were made on Friday by the ministry's spokesperson, Maria Zakharova. She stated on Telegram, "It could lead to the total collapse of the European security system."

Per Sky News, her remarks come after NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg verified that all alliance members agreed to Ukraine's membership.

Ukraine's NATO Membership

The chief stated that Ukraine must have 'the deterrence to prevent new attacks' from Russia once the conflict concludes and that joining NATO would provide Kyiv with defense.

Stoltenberg stated that the NATO allies had agreed that Ukraine would eventually join the alliance and that Zelensky had been invited to the July summit. Stoltenberg, who conferred with the president of Ukraine in Kyiv yesterday, added that the country's victory over Russia is now the top priority.

In the second year of the conflict, he acknowledged the need to discuss "new platforms" of support. He also emphasized the importance of assuring the sustained functionality of supplied weapons, according to Daily Mail.

As he opened a meeting in Germany with allies to discuss further support for Kyiv, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stated today that international support for Ukraine is "firm and steadfast."

On the eve of the 50-nation conference, Zelensky implored Western allies to dispatch more fighter jets and long-range missiles to assist in repelling Russian forces. His requests were made directly to Stoltenberg, who visited Kyiv before the meeting at the Ramstein air base.

Zelensky had requested NATO's assistance to "overcome the reluctance" of certain member states in providing long-range missiles, modern fighter aircraft, and armored vehicles. Despite Ukraine's requests, NATO members have sent some Soviet-era fighter fighters to Ukraine, but no contemporary aircraft such as the US-designed F-16 has been promised.

Russia-Ukraine War Update

Concerned that Ukraine could use long-range missiles to attack targets within Russia, Ukraine's Western supporters have hesitated to dispatch long-range rockets. Ukraine announced earlier that it had received its first cargo of Patriots, one of the most advanced US air defense systems, from allies.

Germany also delivered an Iris-T anti-air missile system as promised. The equipment has been one of Kyiv's primary requests of its Western allies as it seeks to defend against Russian missile attacks and repel Moscow's invasion.

Kyiv has long desired NATO membership, which entails a commitment from all member nations to defend each other if invaded. Although NATO agreed in principle to Ukraine's membership in 2008, Ukraine has never been given a formal path to membership.

Per The Guardian, the 2014 outbreak of hostilities with Russia has also served as a deterrent to NATO members. Ukraine's immediate membership would necessitate an immediate conflict with a nuclear-armed Moscow, which the United States and other member states have made clear they will not contemplate.

In July, Zelensky is scheduled to attend NATO's next annual summit in Vilinus, Lithuania. Still, Ukrainian officials have stated that his attendance is contingent on the alliance agreeing to a roadmap to membership. Kyiv applied for accelerated membership in September.