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Russia Demands NATO to Disavow 2008 Promise on Ukraine
Russia’s Position on NATO and Ukraine
Russia has called on NATO to formally disavow its 2008 commitment to eventually grant Ukraine membership in the U.S.-led military alliance. According to Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, a simple refusal to admit Ukraine into NATO is no longer sufficient.
Call for Reversal of Bucharest Declaration
Zakharova stated that NATO must rescind its 2008 Bucharest declaration, which promised future membership for Ukraine and Georgia, though without a clear timeline or plan. “A refusal to accept Kyiv into NATO is not enough now,” she said. “The alliance must disavow the Bucharest promises of 2008.” She warned that failure to do so would continue to “poison the atmosphere on the European continent.”
Return to Neutrality
Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine should revert to the stance outlined in its 1990 declaration of sovereignty, in which it committed to permanent neutrality, non-participation in military blocs, and remaining nuclear-free. “What Ukraine needs to do is return to the origins of its own statehood and follow the letter and spirit of the documents,” she said. She argued that this approach would serve as Ukraine’s best security guarantee, rather than NATO membership or Western military support.
Background on the 2008 NATO Summit
At the 2008 NATO summit in Bucharest, the alliance declared that both Ukraine and Georgia would eventually join. However, no specific timeline was provided due to divisions among member states. The United States supported their accession, while France and Germany were concerned about antagonizing Russia.
Russia’s Longstanding Objections
Russia has frequently cited NATO’s post-Soviet expansion, particularly Ukraine’s NATO ambitions, as a justification for its military actions. NATO, however, refutes this claim, asserting that it is a defensive alliance aiding Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.
Putin’s Stance on Peace Negotiations
President Vladimir Putin has consistently criticized the U.S. for disregarding Russia’s security concerns regarding NATO expansion since the Cold War. Reports in November suggested that Putin is open to peace discussions with former U.S. President Donald Trump but remains unwilling to make major territorial concessions. Moscow insists that Ukraine must abandon its NATO aspirations as a condition for any agreement.
“Russia Demands NATO to Disavow 2008 Promise on Ukraine” “Russia Demands NATO to Disavow 2008 Promise on Ukraine” “Russia Demands NATO to Disavow 2008 Promise on Ukraine”