Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze: “The lack of progress in Ukraine's accession to NATO sends a bad signal to Russia”

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze met with the Assistant Secretary General of NATO for Political Affairs and Security Policy Boris Ruge.

Boris Ruge noted that discussions on whether Ukraine will be invited to the Alliance at the summit in Washington are ongoing. Many member countries of the Alliance are actively supporting the invitation of Ukraine. However, an important task is to illustrate the rapprochement of Ukraine and NATO, if Ukraine does not receive this invitation. In this context, the areas in which the Alliance could provide support to Ukraine are discussed. This concerns, first of all, security.

Boris Ruge also noted that the Ukraine-NATO Council, which was created at the Alliance summit in July 2023 and serves as a forum for joint consultations, decision-making and activities between NATO and Ukraine, is currently active. According to him, this is an effective format to develop relations with the Alliance. NATO is also expanding its representation in Ukraine. Assistant Secretary General for Political Affairs and Security Policy emphasised the importance of continuing political and security sector reforms in Ukraine. These reforms, as well as specific steps that Ukraine must take on the way to the Alliance, are prescribed in the Annual National Program.

The Chair of the Committee on Ukraine’s Integration into the EU Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze is convinced that the lack of progress in Ukraine's accession to NATO sends a bad signal to Russia and serves it as an argument for continuing the war in Ukraine. “A creative approach is needed. Perhaps an approach that has not been used before. Because until now there were no similar precedents,” said Ivanna Klympush-Tsintsadze. She also emphasised that to implement the Annual Program and to be ready for the membership in NATO, Ukraine must prove that it not only declares but also prac