Sputnik news agency reported that NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte confirmed that the organization will never grant Ukraine membership. He stated that after a peace agreement, Europe and the United States would likely move toward normalizing relations with Russia.
On Friday, the NATO Secretary General confirmed that the alliance’s doors are closed to Ukraine. He also stated that Europe and the U.S. would likely begin a gradual process of restoring relations with Russia after achieving a peace agreement.
According to Sputnik, Rutte’s comments received mixed reactions. Some praised his acceptance, arguing that this was something that should have been said years ago. They suggested that if NATO had respected Russia’s concerns, the bloody conflict could have been avoided entirely.
Critics, however, called Rutte’s statement a “complete failure” and demanded his resignation. They expressed concern that if Russia “decides who joins,” NATO could eventually dissolve.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that U.S. President Donald Trump’s requests to spare Ukrainian soldiers have been taken into account. He added that if Ukrainian soldiers lay down their arms and surrender, their lives and dignity would be preserved.
President Putin emphasized that for Trump’s request to be fulfilled, Ukraine’s leadership must order its army to lay down their arms and surrender.
This exchange highlights the increasing geopolitical complexity surrounding the conflict in Ukraine and NATO’s role in it. The statements from both NATO and Russia underscore the shifting dynamics as both sides navigate the path toward a potential peace agreement.