Zhovkva, NATO leadership discuss preparations for Madrid Summit

Igor Zhovkva, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, discussed the preparations for NATO’s forthcoming Madrid Summit with the Allies and Alliance’s leadership.

“Today I took part in the NATO-Ukraine Commission meeting in Brussels ahead of the Russia-NATO Council scheduled for January 12. We coordinated positions with the NATO Member States and armed them with arguments before the planned dialogue with Russia. Our arguments were heard and taken into account," Zhovkva posted on Facebook on January 10.

The official noted that he could not disclose the discussion details as the meeting had been held behind closed doors: "I would like to note only that all 30 Allies expressed their position, [reaffirming] support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, as well as praising Ukraine’s restraint amid the tense situation on its borders and resolve not to succumb to various provocations. I assured this would continue in the future."

Zhovkva also informed that preparations for the forthcoming NATO Madrid Summit were discussed with the Allies and Alliance’s leadership.

“I underscored that it was important not only to invite Ukraine to the Summit as a partner country but also to make clear-cut decisions on its further movement towards NATO membership, preferably with specific timeframes,” said the Deputy Head of the President’s Office.

According to him, most of the meeting participants said that Ukraine’s future in NATO was a matter that only 30 Member States and Ukraine as an aspirant country can make decisions on, and nobody else.

“This inspires cautious optimism about Madrid Summit’s success and further movement towards NATO," Zhovkva said.

As reported, a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission was held in Brussels on January 10, attended by Olga Stefanishyna, Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration. Its main purpose was to coordinate positions ahead of the NATO-Russia Council meeting slated for January 12.

ol