Zelenskyy's adviser Igor Zhovkva says Ukraine not looking for NATO membership: Report

Igor Zhovkva, an viser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine will not take steps toward becoming a NATO member. He stressed that members of North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have refused to accept "aspirations" and y will not make any effort for it. Zhovkva stated that Kyiv wants military alliance to accept that Ukraine is a "cornerstone of European security," RT reported, citing Financial Times.

According to Igor Zhovkva, Ukraine wants NATO to work on its partnership with Kyiv. statement of Igor Zhovkva comes ahe of NATO summit in Mrid which is due to be held next week. During meeting, members of military alliance will reveal Strategic Concept - a document that outlines mission of NATO and its position regarding non-NATO members, including China and Russia, RT reported.

Reportedly, NATO's Strategic Concept document which has not been updated since 2010 mentions that military alliance wants "a true strategic partnership" with Russia. However, Igor Zhovkva has expressed hope that military alliance will give "strict and severe warnings to Russia" in NATO Strategic Concept. 

Notably, Russia has been long opposing Ukraine's prospective membership in NATO and that was one of major objections by Kremlin that preceded Moscow's full-fledged military offensive against Kyiv. Ukraine, in 2019, h mentioned about ir aim of becoming a member of NATO despite warnings given by US-led military bloc. Russia h stressed that NATO's forces and weapons on border near Russia will pose a security threat.

US and Western nations h been repeatedly accusing Russia of planning an armed invasion of Ukraine; Moscow continued to refute allegations. However, Russian President Vlimir Putin announced a "special military operation" in Ukraine on February 24. Since n, war between Russia and Ukraine has led to massive death and destruction across Kyiv's territories. 

NATO to decide on comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine: Stoltenberg

Meanwhile, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg has called Russia's military offensive against Ukraine " most urgent threat" faced by m and asserted that it has "shattered peace" in Europe. In an interview with Politico, Stoltenberg stated that NATO will continue to support ir partners "that are vulnerable to Russian threats", including Georgia, Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Highlighting NATO's support for Ukraine, NATO chief said that military alliance will decide on a new comprehensive assistance package for Ukraine, consisting of concrete projects and military equipment, as per a statement released on NATO website. According to Stoltenberg,  military alliance will explore longer-term help to Ukraine, including transition from Soviet-era military equipment to modern NATO equipment at summit in Mrid. 

(Image: AP)