US envoy acknowledges Russia's NATO concerns, rules out Ukraine membership
The envoy of the US President, Keith Kellogg, considered Russia's concerns about NATO expansion justified. The United States does not plan to include Ukraine in the Alliance.
Main information
- Keith Kellogg, the envoy of the US President, considered Russia's concerns about NATO expansion justified.
- The United States does not plan to include Ukraine in the North Atlantic Alliance.
- The decision to expand NATO requires the consent of all 32 members.
Russia's concerns about NATO
The US President Donald Trump's envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, in an interview with ABC television, discussed Russia's concerns about NATO's eastward expansion. Kellogg stated that these concerns are justified, and the United States does not plan to include Ukraine in the North Atlantic Alliance.
"We've said that to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table, and we're not the only country that says that - you know I could probably give you four other countries in NATO and it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come in to NATO," Kellogg said.
Russia is demanding a written guarantee that NATO will not expand eastward. The Kremlin is concerned not only about Ukraine but also about Georgia and Moldova.
Peace talks in Istanbul
Trump's envoy announced that the second round of peace talks will take place next week in Istanbul. The meeting will involve national security advisers from the US, Germany, France, and the United Kingdom. The goal is to merge the Ukrainian and Russian memorandums on the ceasefire into a single document.
Kellogg reported that President Trump is frustrated with Russia's position, observing "the level of irrationality" on Vladimir Putin's side. Trump reprimanded Russia for attacking Ukrainian cities and urged the Ukrainian delegation to attend talks in Turkey.
According to cautious estimates, the number of dead and wounded in Russia's war against Ukraine totals 1.2 million.
