The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has described as "complete nonsense" Moscow's insistence that Kiev abandon NATO membership. The statement is in response to comments by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, quoted by Russian media.
"For us, this is a key element of a potential agreement on the conflict in Ukraine. We will insist on guarantees in international law excluding Ukraine's membership in NATO, as well as on formulating this as a policy of the alliance itself," Grushko said.
He added that the decision at the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest on the possible membership of Ukraine and Georgia in the alliance was "catastrophic for European security". According to him, Ukraine's potential membership in NATO makes it impossible to achieve peace and create a sustainable security architecture in the region.
For his part, the representative of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, Georgy Tykhy, quoted by "European Truth", reacted sharply to Moscow's request.
"Oh, what are you talking about, North Korea's ally is giving NATO ultimatums. Complete nonsense. Moscow was not given a say in this matter," said Tykhy.
He reminded that Russia continues its war of conquest in Europe, and its occupation forces are deployed in Ukraine and other countries.
"The architecture of European security is built on protection from Russia," the Ukrainian representative emphasized.