Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week mentioned that if the U.S. can’t assure a fast path towards NATO membership, then there are different safety choices Kyiv would settle for: nuclear weapons.
However do not suppose the US is raring to comply with these phrases.
“The prospect of them getting their nuclear weapons again is someplace between slim and none,” retired Lt. Basic Keith Kellogg, particular envoy to Ukraine and Russia, advised Fox Information Digital. “Let’s be trustworthy about it, we each know that is not going to occur.”
In 1994, following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Ukraine agreed to provide Russia its nuclear arms in alternate for reassurances from Russia, the U.S. and the U.Okay. that its sovereignty and independence can be revered – a treaty Moscow has violated with its repeated invasions – and in an interview on Tuesday, Zelenskyy argued that Ukraine needs to be given its arms “again” if a well timed NATO membership is off the desk.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, second left, says Kyiv needs to be given NATO membership or nukes to defend in opposition to Russia. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Workplace by way of AP)
However Kellogg, the person tasked by President Donald Trump to assist deliver an finish to the three-year warfare, mentioned rearming Ukraine with nuclear weapons is a non-starter.
“Keep in mind, the president mentioned we’re a authorities of frequent sense,” he mentioned. “When someone says one thing like that, take a look at the end result or the potential. That is utilizing your frequent sense.”
Zelenskyy on Tuesday confirmed his willingness to satisfy with Russian President Vladimir Putin face-to-face if that’s the most suitable choice for bringing an finish to the warfare, although the Kremlin chief has not agreed to any in-person assembly with the Ukrainian chief.
Trump on Sunday mentioned that preliminary talks had begun with each Ukraine and Russia, and Kellogg this week confirmed that Kyiv and Moscow might want to make concessions if there’s going to be a peace deal.
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The administration has been tight-lipped on what kind of compromises will have to be made, notably in terms of the most important hot-button situation for each Zelenskyy and Putin: Ukrainian NATO membership.
Kellogg wouldn’t touch upon the place Trump lands in terms of backing both Ukraine with a membership within the safety alliance or Russia in denying its southern neighbor entry to the highest coalition.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg (Drew Angerer/Getty Photographs/File)
“That’s one of many causes I’m going subsequent week to Europe, to really see them face-to-face,” he mentioned. “I can deliver that again to the president and say, ‘OK, Mr. President, that is their concern. That is what the problems are.’”
Kellogg is ready to journey to the Munich Safety Convention, which runs Feb. 14-16, the place he mentioned he’ll meet with world leaders to debate Russia’s warfare in Ukraine and get a greater concept of the place nations just like the U.Okay., Germany and Denmark, together with different prime suppliers of army support to Ukraine, stand on negotiations to finish the warfare.
“As you develop the plans to finish this carnage, it’s a must to just be sure you’ve acquired the texture of everyone in play,” Kellogg mentioned. “As soon as we get to have these face-to-face discussions, then you possibly can actually sort of work … on concessions.”
NATO Secretary Basic Mark Rutte final month urged member nations to extend their assist for Ukraine, a problem he mentioned is vastly vital in terms of bolstering NATO deterrence within the face of the Russia, China, North Korea, Iran bloc.
Then-Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump meets Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Trump Tower in New York on Sept. 27, 2024. (AP Photograph/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
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“If we get a nasty deal, it could solely imply that we’ll see the president of Russia high-fiving with the leaders of North Korea, Iran and China, and we can’t settle for that,” Rutte mentioned. “That will probably be geopolitically a giant, a giant mistake.”
Rutte has urged NATO nations to ramp up protection spending and warned that if Russia comes out on prime on this warfare, it’ll price NATO allies “trillions” not “billions.”
Kellogg will even press NATO allies to extend protection spending and, as directed by Trump, to begin shouldering the burden of the warfare in Ukraine.