Ukraine Must Decide for Itself: NATO Secretary General on Country's Accession to Alliance

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that Ukraine must decide whether it wants to become a candidate for NATO membership or prefers a neutral status. "We respect the sovereign and independent decisions of the nation, regardless of whether it will apply for membership or not. Ukraine also has to make a decision regarding its possible neutral status. But I should note that we are currently talking about intention, not a decided stance," Stoltenberg remarked in an interview with the French newspaper Le Monde.

Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated that it was time to accept that Ukraine would not become a NATO member. Ukraine's neutral status is also being discussed in negotiations with Russia.

In December 2014, Ukraine's Supreme Rada amended two laws, renouncing the state’s non-aligned status. In February 2019, Ukraine’s parliament made changes to the Constitution, enshrining the country’s path towards EU and NATO membership. Ukraine has become the sixth country to receive NATO partner status with enhanced capabilities, according to RIA Novosti.