Andriy Yermak, the head of the Ukrainian President's Office, cautioned on Ukrainian TV on February 20 that Russia might intensify its conflict with the West if Ukraine does not receive an invitation to join NATO at the upcoming 2024 summit in Washington.
This is reported by New Voice of Ukraine.
Yermak highlighted the broader implications of such an escalation, pointing out Russia's influence in regions beyond Europe, including the Middle East and Latin America.
He indicated that the failure to invite Ukraine to NATO would signal to Russia that it possesses a veto power, potentially leading to wider escalations.
"The new escalation will be marked by the absence of an invitation for Ukraine [to join NATO] in Washington," Yermak stated, underscoring the critical nature of full NATO membership as the ultimate security assurance for Ukraine. He urged Western politicians to reconsider their stance on this issue during the forthcoming summit.
Scheduled for July 9-11, the 75th-anniversary NATO Summit in Washington is a pivotal event for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in January, outlined his aspirations for the summit, including the enhancement of air defense system deliveries and decisive moves toward Ukraine's integration into the alliance.
