NATO Clarifies Ukraine’s Membership Status in Peace Talks
NATO has never committed to granting Ukraine membership as part of any peace agreement, alliance chief Mark Rutte stated on Friday.
Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Rutte emphasized that no official declaration—past or present, including the recent Washington summit statement—has ever linked Ukraine’s NATO membership to a potential peace settlement.
“It has never been promised that NATO membership would be part of the outcome of a peace deal with Ukraine,” he clarified.
Rutte underscored the importance of a phased approach, stating that the immediate priority is to strengthen Ukraine’s position and ensure a resolution that prevents Russian President Vladimir Putin from launching further aggression.
Addressing NATO’s defense strategies, Rutte stressed the need for European allies to increase their military spending. “If we continue with current spending levels, we will not achieve security in the coming years,” he warned.
Europe’s Role in Supporting Ukraine
Rutte also highlighted the necessity for Europe to take concrete actions, including increased military assistance and enhanced training programs for Ukrainian forces.
“European nations must deliver tangible results—more military aid, better training—and create real impact on the ground,” he said. He emphasized that these measures would secure Europe a meaningful role in any future peace negotiations.
Reaction to Munich Incident
In a separate comment, Rutte expressed sorrow over the tragic incident in Munich, where a vehicle rammed into a crowd during a trade union demonstration on Thursday.
“We hope the full details of this terrible attack will soon be clear,” he said, wishing a swift recovery for the victims.
Authorities confirmed that the attacker, a 24-year-old Afghan national, was immediately apprehended at the scene. Investigations into the incident are ongoing.
