Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that Ukraine will not join NATO before the end of the armed conflict on its territory. He argues that at the upcoming summit it is necessary to discuss the issue of Kyiv’s entry into the alliance after the conflict ends. This is reported by RIA Novosti, referring to the Italian newspaper la Repubblica.
The President of Lithuania said that Ukraine will not join NATO as long as the armed conflict continues on its territory. He argues that the association will move to the practice of Kyiv joining the alliance after the conflict is over.
“It would be too difficult. We are aware of this, and the Ukrainians themselves know about it. We must move to the practical phase, determine the stages and formulas for how to act when the conflict is over,” he said.
The politician expressed hope that the forthcoming NATO summit would allow developing a roadmap for Ukraine’s accession. He claims that this will be the most difficult issue on the agenda of the event.
“To be honest, in Vilnius this will be the most difficult point. Lithuania is pushing for an ambitious agenda, but some countries are still hesitant to give Zelensky loud signals in this regard,” the Lithuanian leader said.
Nauseda believes that the alliance must overcome the old “open door” formula. He argues that joining NATO is possible for everyone, but in reality there is no practical algorithm for using it.
“We know that NATO’s doors are open to everyone, but we don’t have practical algorithms for using them, so we must send signals that Ukraine is expected in the alliance and that it can be part of the security system,” the Lithuanian President summed up.