Estonian PM: NATO not granting Ukraine, Georgia membership plan in 2008 was interpreted by Russia as “clear invitation” to establish itself militarily in Europe
In her comments on the decision, which was followed by Russia’s invasion of Georgia several months later and its military action in Ukraine in 2014 and this year, Kallas noted now it was the West’s “responsibility to learn the lessons” from past decisions. Photo: Reuters
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Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas said the decision at the NATO Bucharest Summit in 2008 not to grant Ukraine and Georgia the Membership Action Plan had been interpreted by Russia as “weakness” and a “clear invitation” to establish itself militarily in Europe.
In her comments on the decision, which was followed by Russia’s invasion of Georgia several months later and its military action in Ukraine in 2014 and this year, Kallas noted now it was the West’s “responsibility to learn the lessons” from past decisions.
We cannot repeat the mistakes we did with our response to aggression in Georgia, Crimea, and Donbas where Russia gained territories and was not punished for it. No legal consequences followed”, Kallas said.