Pistorius shows understanding for Ukraine’s anger at NATO summit
Defense Minister Boris Pistorius has expressed understanding for Ukraine’s anger at what he considers to be inadequate accession commitments at the NATO summit, but insists on meeting the conditions for membership. “I understand the frustration and impatience. Especially in the situation that Ukraine is in, I have full sympathy for it,” said the SPD politician on Tuesday evening in the ARD “Tagesthemen”. “Nevertheless, the commitment is there. Ukraine will become a member of NATO as soon as the conditions are met. This is an agreement that has never been so clear before.”
For months, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has been fighting for his country’s formal invitation to join the Western Defense Alliance. However, NATO attaches conditions to such an invitation to the country attacked by Russia. A declaration made by the 31 member states at the Vilnius summit on Tuesday said: “The future of Ukraine is in NATO.” However, an invitation is only possible “if the allies are in agreement and the requirements are met.” Reforms “in the area of democracy and the security sector” are given as examples.
Selenski had already vented his anger on the journey to Vilnius. “It looks like there is no willingness to invite Ukraine into NATO or make it a member of the alliance,” he wrote on Twitter. “This is a motivation for Russia to continue its terror.” This vagueness is a sign of the West’s weakness. “And I will address that openly at the summit.”