Russia urges NATO to rescind commitment to Georgia, Ukraine
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Russia has called on NATO member states to rescind the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supporting Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance.
The statement, issued by the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, demanded the security guarantees from the United States and its allies.
In the fundamental interests of the European security, it is necessary to formally disavow the decision of the 2008 NATO Bucharest Summit that ‘Ukraine and Georgia will become NATO members,' the Russian MFA wrote.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has responded to the statement, maintaining that the alliance's position remains unchanged.
It has been clearly stated that any sovereign independent nation, of course, has the right to choose his own path, including what kind of security arrangements he wants to be part of... So that's the short answer. We are going to sit down, talk with Russia, but not compromise on the right of every nation in Europe to decide their own path, Stoltenberg told the press.
The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs denounced the statement issued by the Russian MFA, stressing that it 'contradicts the fundamental norms and principles of international law.'
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said at the College of Europe in Bruges earlier today that ‘NATO’s door remains open’ for Georgia and Ukraine. Stoltenberg said that he was at the NATO summit in Bucharest back in 2008 when the alliance made a decision that Georgia and Ukraine will become its members but they ‘did not set any fixed date’.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said following the meeting of NATO foreign ministers that Georgia and Ukraine are both ‘long-standing and close NATO partners’. Stoltenberg further noted during his press conference that Georgia and Ukraine - both aspiring for NATO membership - contribute to its missions and operations.
Georgia is expecting that the NATO 2022 summit in Madrid will make concrete messages on the alliance’s open door policy, Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani stated after the NATO Foreign Ministerial in Riga today. “The Riga Foreign Ministerial made me think that the NATO 2022 summit will be oriented on concrete results for the open-door policy,” Zalkaliani said.
The United States continues to support NATO’s decision of the 2008 Bucharest Summit Declaration that Georgia and Ukraine will become NATO members. A day before the NATO foreign ministerial in Riga the Department of State also underscored that ‘these countries’ Annual National Programs (ANP) detail their path to membership’.
Lithuanian MEP Andrius Kubilius has stated that it is time to ‘move forward with the real Euroatlantic integration’ of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, noting that otherwise ‘it will become clear that the future of these countries is sacrificed for the appeasement of Putin.'
Former US ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul has said that Russia should agree to withdraw forces from Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine as part of the security deal proposed by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Konstantin Gavrilov, the head of the Russian Delegation to the Negotiations on Military Security and Arms Control in Vienna, stated earlier today that ‘under no circumstances will Moscow allow the deployment of NATO infrastructure in Georgia and Ukraine.’
US Department of State Spokesperson Ned Price has stated that the US is ready to engage diplomatically with Russia through multiple channels including the NATO-Russia Council, however, noted that there will be no talks with Russia on European security without ‘our European allies and partners.’
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has stated that NATO cannot compromise on its right to protect and defend all allies in response to Moscow’s recent demand that the alliance should provide security guarantees, the German Press Agency DPA international reports.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrey Rudenko has said that the deployment of NATO infrastructure in Georgia will pose a 'threat' to Russia and its allies.
Former Secretary-General of NATO Anders Fogh Rasmussen says that it is time to set out an action plan for Georgia and Ukraine to become NATO member countries.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that the alliance will 'continue to provide support' to Georgia and Ukraine on their way towards Euro-Atlantic integration.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken has denounced Russia's military aggression against Ukraine as a 'threat' to European security following a NATO council held yesterday, noting that Russia invaded neighbouring Georgia and Ukraine and violated international arms control agreements over the last two decades.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has said that the US remains 'unwavering' about Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Ambassador Degnan noted the US is willing to negotiate with Russia in order to prevent conflict but will not 'trade away' the sovereignty of any European countries, including that of Georgia.
Members of the US Senate NATO Observer Group have urged US President Joe Biden to convey support for the 'security and freedom' for the Eastern European allies to Russian President Vladimir Putin at the NATO-Russia Council meeting scheduled this week.
Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani said that NATO’s stance on Georgia and Ukraine is unwavering and that they [partner countries] will tell Russia at NATO-Russia talks today that the alliance’s position towards both countries will not be revised.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has said that NATO allies have called on Russia to withdraw forces from Georgia, Ukraine and Moldova at a meeting of the NATO-Russia Council held earlier today.
US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has said that Georgia is a 'valued partner' of NATO and the United States following consultations regarding Russia's 'aggressive actions' with Georgian Foreign Minister David Zalkaliani and US Assistant Secretary Karen Donfried yesterday evening.
EU Ambassador to Georgia Carl Hartzell has reaffirmed the EU's support for Georgia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, saying that Georgia has a right to choose with whom to cooperate.
Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Luigi Di Maio has said that NATO cannot renege on the 'Open Door' policy and its commitments towards Georgia and Ukraine.
Di Maio noted the 2008 Bucharest Summit declaration supports Georgia and Ukraine's bid to become members of the alliance "at a time in the future."