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."
NATO can certainly not renege on the 'Open Door' principle and commitments towards Kyiv and Tbilisi taken in 2008 at the Bucharest Summit, which permit the entry of Ukraine and Georgia at a time in the future. But we know this is a 'red line' for Moscow, he said.
Di Maia added that the Italian government is working to prevent a conflict in Ukraine amid the Russian military buildup at its border.
The Russian Foreign Ministry put forward two proposals on ‘security guarantees’ between Russia, the US and NATO on December 17, which include restrictions on troop, ship, and aircraft deployments for both NATO and Russia, as well limits to the deployment of intermediate and short-range missiles abroad.
On December 10, Russia released a statement demanding NATO member states rescind the commitments towards Georgia and Ukraine.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg turned down Russia's demands, saying that they violate 'core principles for European security.'