Deployment of nuclear weapons in Belarus strengthens Ukraine's request for fast-track NATO membership - Stoltenberg

Peace agreements on Russia's terms, as well as freezing of the conflict in Ukraine, are unacceptable, so Ukraine must strengthen its positions on the battlefield for future talks.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said this in an interview with Die Welt, Ukrinform reports.

Stoltenberg warned against hasty peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, stressing that everyone wants this war to end, but for peace to last, it must be fair.

According to Stoltenberg, peace cannot mean freezing the conflict and accepting the conditions dictated by Russia. Only Ukraine can determine the conditions that will be acceptable.

He noted that military success would strengthen Ukraine's position during talks. Stoltenberg noted that the more occupied territories Ukraine can liberate, the better cards it will have at the negotiating table to achieve a just and lasting peace.

He also shared his vision of Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic prospects.

According to him, the future of Ukraine is in NATO, but now the priority for Ukraine is to prevail as a sovereign and independent state - otherwise there is no possibility to discuss membership. He also said that it is important that after this war ends, there will be reliable agreements on Ukraine’s security so that Russia cannot rearm and to attack again.

He announced that at the upcoming summit in Vilnius in July, NATO will approve an aid package designed to bring Ukraine in line with NATO standards in several years. In particular, political ties are expected to be intensified.

"This will bring Ukraine closer to NATO," the leader of the alliance said, noting that there will be no fast-track membership.

At the same time, according to Stoltenberg, events in neighboring Belarus, which is an ally of Russia, strengthen Ukraine's request for fast-track NATO membership.

Commenting on the increased nuclear threat against the West from Moscow, in particular, the deployment of relevant weapons in Belarus, the NATO chief said that the Alliance is monitoring the situation with concern, however, it currently sees no signs that the Kremlin may use nuclear weapons in the foreseeable future.