UA
FR
DEUkraine’s participation in the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga sends a signal to Russia against the background of military threats coming from it. It will allow discussing joint steps to curb Moscow’s aggressive intentions and provide an opportunity to coordinate positions and expectations ahead of the 2022 NATO Madrid Summit.
Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba made a corresponding statement.
The minister announced that on 30 November and 1 December he will take part in the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga on the security of the wider Black Sea region.
“The key topic of my visit will be the latest escalation due to the build-up of Russian forces on the border with Ukraine, the danger of a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the steps we and our Euro-Atlantic partners are taking to prevent such a scenario,” said Kuleba.
He added that he will also brief his colleagues from the Alliance on the progress of Ukraine’s internal transformations towards its integration into NATO.
“Inviting Ukraine to the ministerial meeting in Riga is a very good sign. First, it is a signal of support against the background of Russia’s aggressive actions. Second, it is an opportunity to discuss the current security situation and our joint actions. Third, it is an opportunity to coordinate positions and expectations in the run-up to the 2022 NATO Madrid Summit. Ukraine’s strategic participation in the meeting of NATO Foreign Ministers in Riga shows that, thanks to our proactive foreign policy, Ukraine has become a more active participant in international politics; it is invited to discuss and resolve key issues,” Kuleba stressed.
The Ukrainian foreign minister reminded that the Foreign Policy Strategy identifies Ukraine’s accession to NATO as one of the key priorities.
“We are working to implement it and reach a consensus within the Alliance on this issue. It will take much time, but we have to do it, do it systematically, and that is why we have adopted, for the first time over 30 years, a comprehensive Foreign Policy Strategy. It is not just a document; it is a tool that allows implementing large-scale tasks through systematic long-term work,” he concluded.
Natalia Tolub
