Ukraine not yet ready to join NATO – PM of the Netherlands
Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte said that at the moment there are no necessary conditions for Ukraine’s admission to NATO.
"As long as Ukraine is involved in hostilities, it cannot be accepted into NATO," the head of the Dutch government said, speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday.
Rutte was answering a question about Ukraine's prospects on the path to membership in the North Atlantic Alliance in connection with the upcoming NATO summit in Washington in July. "In this case, it is important not to promise Ukraine too much," he added.
The head of the Dutch government pointed out the difference in the processes of states' accession to the EU and NATO. "There are no different options in NATO. Either you are a full member or you are not a member of the organization. In the European Union there are several stages before a country becomes a full member of the community," the prime minister said.
According to him, at the summit in Washington, NATO member states should work hard to try to some extent follow the "European" path and determine stages for the gradual further rapprochement of Ukraine with the North Atlantic Alliance.
At the same time, he noted the importance of all allies being united in supporting Ukraine in its desire to join the alliance.
Western media have repeatedly indicated that Rutte is one of the potential contenders for the post of the next NATO Secretary General. The alliance countries intend to determine later this year who will replace Jens Stoltenberg in this post.