Majority of NATO countries support Ukraine's membership: Stefanishyna responses
Photo: Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine (RBC Ukraine)
The vast majority of European NATO countries unequivocally support Ukraine's membership in NATO, but not all of them are ready to decide at this very moment, said Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.
"The entire Eastern Europe, the entire Eastern flank of NATO, unanimously demands a decision on supporting Ukraine's membership in NATO," she said.
According to her, at least half of the allies clearly understand the importance and strategic significance of the decision regarding Ukraine's accession for strengthening the Alliance, defining the role of the Alliance as a security organization, and solidifying positions on security guarantees.
Stefanishyna noted that most European NATO countries consciously support the decision on Ukraine's membership in NATO and do not doubt it as a security guarantee.
"But not all are ready to make the decisions that should be made immediately," she added.
NATO summit
NATO countries are debating what to offer Kyiv at the Alliance leaders' meeting in Vilnius on July 11-12. While Kyiv and its closest allies in Eastern Europe are calling for concrete steps to bring Ukraine closer to membership, Western governments like the United States and Germany fear any moves that could escalate the Alliance into a war with Russia.
Olha Stefanishyna, the Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine, said there is currently no clarity regarding the signals that could be received in Vilnius.
