Ukraine's NATO membership may follow cessation of hostilities - Biden's adviser
Michael Carpenter, Advisor for European Affairs at the US National Security Council (photo: europeanwesternbalkans.com)
Ukraine's membership in NATO could follow the cessation of hostilities. NATO's Article Five would be the highest security guarantee for Ukraine, says Michael Carpenter, Advisor for European Affairs at the US National Security Council.
“I think the highest security guarantee for Ukraine is NATO membership. Article 5 is the most reliable, safest form of guarantee that states can have. It is vital for Ukraine to get it,” Carpenter emphasized.
However, he noted that it will be difficult to achieve this at the moment, as Ukraine is in the midst of a hot phase of war.
“So here's how I see it. When the fighting stops, if this goal is achieved, then NATO membership can follow. And this will guarantee security for Ukraine,” he emphasized.
At the same time, he noted that it is now necessary to think very carefully about what temporary guarantees could be offered to Ukraine right now.
“As I understand it, there are a number of European countries that will discuss this very concept (a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine as a guarantee of security - ed.) So, in my opinion, it would make sense to have several EU countries invest in Ukraine's success and help stabilize the situation,” the advisor emphasized.
Peacekeeping mission in Ukraine
Discussions on the prospects of a peacekeeping mission in Ukraine continue. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron suggested considering the deployment of European troops in the event of a conflict freeze.
Italy emphasized that the Italian military could join such a mission only after the end of hostilities. The Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of providing Ukraine with reliable security guarantees.
Meanwhile, Reuters learned how many troops the West might send.
Later, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine supports France's initiative to send peacekeepers. Kyiv calls on its partners to join these efforts.
