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Kyiv [Ukraine], July 13: The West offered long-term security guarantees to Ukraine after NATO quelled Kyiv's hopes of a concrete timeline for joining the alliance.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky held a meeting on July 12 with key NATO leaders at the alliance's summit in the Lithuanian capital Vilnius, a day after he criticized them for not acting faster to close the deal. admit Kyiv as a member.
More aid to Ukraine
In a statement concluding the first day of meetings, NATO leaders said Ukraine's future was within NATO but promised to invite it only when "allies agree and conditions are met", according to Reuters. Observers say this commitment is no different from what was made in 2008, and reflects the concern of many NATO members about the possibility of being dragged into direct conflict with Russia. President Zelensky expressed his disappointment and described NATO's hesitant action as "absurd".
However, Ukraine is said to not leave empty-handed. On the last day of yesterday's conference, the first session of the NATO-Ukraine Council opened. Time magazine quoted NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg as saying that the council is a platform for Ukraine and NATO members to consult and make decisions together. This is also a means for Ukraine to convene crisis meetings and tighten cooperation with NATO. Observers say the formation of this council is an important step for Ukraine's ambitions to join NATO.
In addition, Ukraine was also reassured with a series of pledges of security and financial aid from the West. The British government said yesterday that the G7 would issue a joint statement on helping Ukraine defeat Russia and prevent similar actions in the future. According to Reuters, a framework will be established for each country to negotiate bilateral agreements with Ukraine on the weapons they will provide and other forms of aid such as troop training, intelligence sharing and defense. Online. In return, Ukraine will commit to promoting governance and judicial reforms in the country.
Russia, China warn
Responding to the above moves, the Kremlin yesterday warned that the West's grant of security commitments to Ukraine was a "very dangerous" act and violated Russia's security.
TASS news agency quoted Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev as saying that the West's sending of weapons to Ukraine would bring World War 3 closer. The former Russian president stressed that Moscow will continue its "special military operation" and maintain its goals, including preventing Kyiv from joining NATO.
In an interview with Indonesia's Kompas newspaper during a business trip here, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that the armed conflict in Ukraine will continue until the West abandons its plan to maintain its dominance and stops obsess with the desire to inflict a strategic defeat for Russia through Ukraine.
In a related development, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin yesterday called on NATO to stop baseless accusations and provocative statements against Beijing. Earlier in the day, NATO leaders issued a strongly worded statement on the first day of the summit in Lithuania, arguing that China had challenged the security, interests and values ​​of China. this organization.
China's mission to the European Union (EU) rejected NATO's statement and objected to " NATO's eastward shift towards the Asia-Pacific region". The Chinese mission warned that any action that threatens the country's rights will lead to a tough response from Beijing.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper