Ambassador Ukraine for EnglishVadym Prystaiko, revealed his country might drop plans to join the North Atlantic Security Pact (NATO) This is done to prevent conflicts from breaking out with Russia.
“We may, you know, remember (have been) threatened in that way, coerced into doing so, and pushed to do so,” Prystaiko told the presenter. BBC Radio 5Stephen Nolan, when asked about his country considering not joining NATO to prevent war, Sunday (13/2), quoted from RT.
When asked for confirmation by Nolan, Prystaiko said his country would reconsider their desire to join NATO.
“What I’m saying right now is we’re flexible, trying to find the best way. If you have to go through serious concessions, that’s something we’re going to do, that’s for sure,” he stressed.
Prystaiko said this decision was also supported by representatives of the Ukrainian military bloc.
However, Prystaiko highlighted the status of Ukraine which is not part of any military alliance. He said Kiev could potentially face a military conflict alone if it happened.
“We will, again, be protected by no one, no friends, not a member of an alliance, even though other people, all our neighbors, have joined the organization,” Prystaiko said, referring to Poland, Slovakia, Romania, Bulgaria and and Turkey.
Meanwhile, Russia has often expressed concern over NATO’s expansion in Eastern Europe. Russia has also asked for guarantees related to Ukraine, especially that Kiev cannot be part of NATO.
The reason for Russia’s concern was explained by an observer of International Relations (HI) at Padjadjaran University, Teuku Rezasyah.
“(The thing) that Russia is worried about is, they have a very long border, tens of kilometers, and it is feared that Ukraine will become a front for NATO to undermine Russia,” Rezasyah told CNNIndonesia.comsome time ago.
“If Russia attacks, it will harm them. It will be a reason for the United States and NATO to move the United Nations to condemn Russia, issue resolutions through the General Assembly, including arming NATO on a large scale,” continued Rezasyah.
According to Rezasyah, Russia will also suffer losses if it starts a war in Ukraine.
Rezasyah assessed that Moscow’s good name could be destroyed if the country started a war and made the United States worse off Russia’s image.
“If Russia attacks, it will harm them. It will be a reason for the United States and NATO to move the United Nations to condemn Russia, issue resolutions through the General Assembly, including arming NATO on a large scale,” continued Rezasyah.
(pwn / bac)
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