World Courant
Russia has lengthy objected to Ukrainian membership within the Western navy alliance. This week’s assembly brings up outdated discussions.
As NATO leaders collect in Lithuania for a gathering dominated by the conflict in Ukraine and Kiev’s want to hitch the navy alliance, Russia has issued a collection of threats.
Russian Overseas Ministry spokesman Maria Zakharova instructed Al Jazeera on Tuesday: “We had a purpose to weaken NATO as a result of the US, Britain and all of NATO had a purpose to weaken Russia. Simply have a look at their statements of years, they wished to weaken our nation.”
Sergey Lavrov, Russia’s overseas minister, warned that Moscow would take “applicable steps” within the occasion of “doable enlargement of NATO”, including that his nation would shield its “legit safety pursuits”.
Addressing reporters within the Russian capital on Tuesday, he mentioned in feedback from the Tass information company that the Kremlin was struck by the velocity with which Finland and Sweden deserted their long-held precept of neutrality to hitch NATO.
Earlier than Russia invaded Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia repeatedly warned the Western navy alliance to not be a part of Ukraine, because it didn’t need the alliance on its doorstep.
Whereas there may be broad consensus amongst NATO members to help Ukraine’s future membership, some states, such because the US and Germany, insist that Kiev’s software can’t be significantly thought of till after the tip of the Russian conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov instructed a daily information briefing: “Russia is seen by them (NATO leaders) as an enemy, as an adversary. It’s on this spirit that the discussions (in Vilnius) shall be held.
“We’re watching this very carefully as a result of a lot of what has been mentioned shall be topic to in-depth evaluation to take motion to make sure our personal security.”
On the coronary heart of the two-day NATO summit is the problem of Moscow’s aggression in Ukraine – and easy methods to fight it.
Hours earlier than it began, Russia attacked Kiev with Iranian-made Shahed drones and sounded air raid sirens within the capital; Ukraine mentioned it shot all of them.
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg mentioned he expects the group to “ship a transparent, united and optimistic message in the direction of membership for Ukraine,” however these feedback weren’t sturdy sufficient to fulfill Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, who claimed it was “absurd”. that no timeline for becoming a member of the alliance had been set.
US President Joe Biden mentioned Washington and its allies mentioned sending extra weapons and gear to the Ukrainian armed forces — pledges that noticed Russia backtrack.
By asserting extra assist plans, the US has proven a scarcity of curiosity in talks to finish the conflict, Russia’s RIA information company quoted senior diplomat Konstantin Gavrilov as saying.
Gavrilov additionally warned that Europe can be the primary to face “catastrophic penalties” if the conflict escalates.
Ukraine, which had a part of its nation beneath Russian occupation final yr, took the defiant step and formally utilized for NATO membership final September.
“De facto, Ukraine is already within the alliance. Our weapons are the weapons of the alliance. Our values are what the alliance believes in… Vilnius should verify all of this,” Zelenskyy mentioned on the eve of the NATO summit.
In the meantime, Russia’s ambassador to the US, Anatoly Antonov, warned of “probably the most unfavorable end result” amid a stalemate between Moscow and NATO nations.
“The choices of the West proceed to signify insurmountable obstacles to a manner out of probably the most acute political and navy disaster, fraught with probably the most critical penalties for worldwide safety,” Antonov mentioned Monday, as quoted by his embassy on Telegram.
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