‘Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato,’ declares Rishi Sunak
Rishi Sunak has said that Ukraine’s “rightful place” is in Nato, as Hungary insisted there can be no discussion of Kyiv’s accession at the alliance’s next summit.
The Prime Minister threw his full support behind the embattled country’s bid to join the military pact at a major gathering of European leaders in Moldova.
Volodymyr Zelensky has said that his nation is “ready” and “waiting” to be accepted. The Ukrainian president has called for a “clear” decision on Kyiv’s future in Nato at July’s meeting in Lithuania.
But Hungary has insisted the accession of a country currently at war “cannot be on the agenda”.
The international alliance agreed in 2008 that Ukraine would eventually be allowed to join.
However, leaders have so far stopped short of taking steps that would lay out a timetable for bringing Kyiv closer to the pact.
If Ukraine is allowed to join the bloc, any attack by Russia would require a collective military response under Article 5 of the Nato treaty.
Peter Szijjarto, Hungary’s foreign minister, wrote on Facebook: “We have to be clear on this: the Nato accession of a country currently at war cannot be on the agenda.”
Speaking at the second meeting of the European Political Community (EPC) on Thursday, Mr Sunak said that “Ukraine’s rightful place is in Nato”.
But he would not be drawn on a timeframe for Kyiv joining the alliance.
He said he was “proud” of the UK’s record of support, adding: “We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine – not just now, but for years into the future.”
Mr Zelensky has said this year is the time “for decisions” on Kyiv’s future in Nato, warning that “every doubt we show in Europe is a trench that Russia will try to occupy”.
He wrote on Twitter: “In summer – in Vilnius, at the @NATO summit – the clear invitation to membership for Ukraine is needed, and the security guarantees on the way to NATO membership are needed.”
