Quotes
Russia is now the enemy for all of us, and the victory plan should reflect how dangerous Russia is,
I want to emphasise that Europe, the West, and the NATO alliance have the necessary defences to ensure that our people may live in peace and security. And how much will it cost? A lot,
Unfortunately, I see no indication that Russia is going to recognise any kind of democracy,
Some remain sceptical about Ukraine's NATO membership. We actively support this from the Danish side. I’m going to say this today, too,
We are in close contact with allies, with Ukraine, to see how we can take next steps,
he added, though he declined to provide details Russia will resort to diplomacy only when it sees that it cannot achieve anything by force,
Ukraine is ready for real diplomacy, but for it, we must be strong,
Zelensky said as he headed into talks with the EU's 27 leaders I cannot today now exactly sketch out what the path will be, but I am absolutely confident that in the future, Ukraine will join us,
said NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte when pressed about the topic Obviously we want to be in a place where Zelenskyy and Ukraine, from a position of strength, is able to start talks with Russia,
Rutte told reporters in Brussels The EU is on the side of Ukraine,
The plan has many aspects and many political and military issues we really need to hammer out with the Ukrainians to understand what is behind it, to see what we can do, what we cannot do,
Rutte said at NATO headquarters in Brussels We are working with the Ukrainians to understand better how this would help in ending the war."
Asked for a response, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte said simply We are not at the point right now where the alliance is talking about issuing an invitation in the short term."
Washington's ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, hammered home that stance Wednesday, saying We are in a kind of waiting mode,
summed up one NATO diplomat It's a very difficult period, the worst since the beginning of the invasion,
said a second NATO diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity I would be surprised if there was a surprise,
There are various ways to define victory or to define defeat,
I cannot give you all the insights about that.”
He declined to provide details about what more NATO wants to know, telling reporters only We understand that NATO membership is a matter for the future, not the present,
he told the Ukrainian parliament You will have maybe some different views on particular aspects of the plan, but that doesn't say that we are not standing squarely behind Ukraine,