Russia has demanded that NATO revoke its 2008 promise to grant Ukraine membership in the alliance.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that a simple refusal to let Ukraine join is no longer sufficient, and that NATO must formally disavow its 2008 commitment.
Zakharova emphasized that Ukraine’s NATO membership is unacceptable to Russia, and that the issue will continue to create tension in Europe unless addressed.
She also called on Ukraine to return to its 1990 declaration of sovereignty, which stated that the country would remain neutral and not participate in military blocs.
According to Zakharova, Ukraine’s security cannot be guaranteed by NATO membership or Western intervention.
Instead, she advocated for Ukraine to follow the principles of its original declaration of sovereignty.
The 2008 promise was made at a NATO summit in Bucharest, where the alliance declared that Ukraine and Georgia would become members, although no timeline or plan was provided.