(Credit: nato.int) NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy
By Gary Raynaldo DIPLOMATIC TIMES
WASHINGTON – PENTAGON – Ukraine is growing impatient standing outside the door of the NATO military Alliance amid “increased Russian aggression in the region. Ukraine President issued an urgent plea to NATO to get the ball rolling out a rapid path for its country into membership in the Western Alliance. There is growing concern in the international community about Russian troop movements in recent days along the Ukrainian border that some see as an attempt to intimidate Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday urged NATO to speed up Ukraine’s path toward membership, claiming it is the only option to prevent further conflict in the eastern Deonbass region. Zelenskiy spoke to NATO Secretary General, Jens Stoltenberg, on Tuesday, and expressed strong desire for Ukraine to be put on a quick pathway to future membership to amid the long-running conflict in the eastern Donbas region.
.@jensstoltenberg, we are committed to reforming our army and defense sector, but reforms alone will not stop Russia. @NATO is the only way to end the war in #Donbas. Ukraine's MAP will be a real signal for #Russia pic.twitter.com/wdkp4LWxxD
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 6, 2021
The Pentagon would not comment on Ukraine’s call for quick NATO membership but but echoed the White House position that it is an issue for NATO to decide.
“I think you saw our statement yesterday that this is an issue for NATO to bring up. I think you saw my counterpart at the White House make clear that the President is — is certainly willing to — to have conversations, but this is an issue for NATO.”
-Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby said Wednesday Apr. 7, 2021 in response to reporter’s question on Ukraine during press briefing at Pentagon
(Photo credit: Gary Raynaldo ©Diplomatic Times) Pentagon Press Secretary John F. Kirby briefs reporters at the Pentagon in Washington DC Apr. 7, 2021
NATO Remains “Committed” To Supporting Ukraine Sovereignty
-NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg
I called President @ZelenskyyUa to express serious concern about Russia’s military activities in and around Ukraine & ongoing ceasefire violations. #NATO firmly supports #Ukraine’s sovereignty & territorial integrity. We remain committed to our close partnership.
— Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) April 6, 2021
