Estonian President: Ukraine will be in NATO, that's out of question
President of Estonia Alar Karis (photo: Getty Images)
Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be negotiated during the summit, because its movement toward membership is irreversible, says President of Estonia Alar Karis.
At a press conference after his meeting with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda, Estonian President Alar Karis said that the most important topics of the NATO summit will be effective and long-term support for Ukraine during the current hot phase of the war and beyond, as well as strengthening NATO's defense capabilities.
"NATO must send a strong signal that it will support Ukraine as long as necessary. Ukraine's membership in NATO cannot be negotiated, its movement towards membership is irreversible," the Estonian president said.
He emphasized that history has many lessons that appeasement of aggressors ensures only temporary peace.
"Failure to respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine will only lead to new and worse wars in the future. Russia and other aggressors will feel more confident as a result... The only strategy that can work now is to provide Ukraine with as much support as possible," Karis said.
NATO summit in Washington
The NATO Summit will be held in Washington, DC, from July 9 to 11. One of the main issues on the agenda of the meeting of 32 leaders of member states will be Ukraine.
As it became known earlier, the summit may decide to strengthen Ukraine's air defense and discuss Ukraine's future membership in the Alliance.
According to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the summit in Washington is also expected to agree on a significant aid package for Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy may also meet with American leader Joe Biden on the sidelines of the summit. In any case, the White House is preparing for such a meeting.
