Ukraine, which continues to deter Russian aggression, which is the main threat to the Alliance, is and will be a powerful military force in Eastern Europe. The only choice is whether this force will be in NATO or outside NATO.
This was stated by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybig during a meeting of the Ukraine-NATO Council at the level of foreign ministers at NATO headquarters in Brussels.
This was the first meeting in this format, in which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio participated.
Minister Szybiga thanked the Allies for their support for Ukraine and the increase in military assistance during the first months of 2025. At the same time, he emphasized how Ukraine has taken the first real steps towards peace, recalling, in particular, the unconditional agreement to a full 30-day ceasefire.
Instead, the Russian side responded with only additional demands and conditions.
"We are convinced that it is time to increase pressure on Russia. Economic pressure through sanctions. Military pressure through providing Ukraine with additional military assistance and deterrence packages. Pressure is the only way to force Russia to take peace seriously," he emphasized.
Among other things, he also recalled that Ukraine's future membership in NATO is legally enshrined both in the Constitution of Ukraine and in the decisions of a number of NATO summits, including the previous summit in Washington.
"Ukraine is already and will be a powerful military force in Eastern Europe. The strategic choice before you is whether this force will be in NATO or outside NATO," the minister said.
He emphasized that the Ukrainian defense-industrial complex is currently one of the most dynamic in the world and called on allies to continue increasing investments in Ukrainian weapons production.
Sibig also welcomed the discussion of reliable security guarantees for Ukraine within the framework of the "Coalition of the Determined" under the leadership of Great Britain and France.
"Today we feel that we are not alone. Thank you and I look forward to further concrete solutions," the minister concluded.
Previously, "Apostrophe" wrote how President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the issue of Ukraine's accession to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) was not included in the agreement with the United States on minerals.