Russia has demanded that NATO revoke its 2008 commitment to eventually admit Ukraine into the U.S.-led military alliance. Maria Zakharova, the spokeswoman for Russia's Foreign Ministry, made this announcement on Tuesday. She added that it's not just enough for NATO to deny Ukraine's membership, but it must also withdraw its previous promise.
Zakharova stressed that the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership has been a point of contention, poisoning the atmosphere in Europe. She quoted, "The alliance must disavow the Bucharest promises of 2008." According to her, the refusal to let Kyiv join NATO is no longer sufficient for Russia.
She further pointed out that Ukraine should revert to its 1990 declaration of sovereignty from the Soviet Union. In this declaration, Kyiv had asserted that it would maintain a permanently neutral state, abstain from joining military blocs, and remain nuclear-free.
Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine's return to its original statehood principles and adherence to its prior commitments would be the best guarantee of its security. She further stated that neither NATO membership nor Western intervention disguised as a peacekeeping contingent could provide Ukraine with such security.