German FM Baerbock and UK Secretary Lammy: Ukraine’s NATO Accession Is Irreversible

During the Munich Security Conference on February 15, German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock and UK Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs David Lammy emphasized that Ukraine’s accession to NATO is an irreversible process.

According to Lammy, integrating Ukraine into the Alliance represents the most effective and cost-efficient way to ensure long-term stability in Europe and the broader Euro-Atlantic region.

“It is entirely fair to say that Ukraine’s path to NATO is irreversible. This is the most affordable and effective mechanism for guaranteeing peace not only in Europe but across the Euro-Atlantic space,” Lammy stated.

Baerbock echoed this position, emphasizing that NATO remains a viable option for Ukraine’s security.

“The pathway for Ukraine lies in [entering] NATO,” she said, adding that it would be the “cheapest” way to guarantee Ukraine’s security in the long term.

“For me, it is crucial to state that keeping NATO as an option is the most cost-effective choice. Deploying thousands of troops to maintain stability would require significant resources,” she noted.

Lammy also highlighted broader security concerns, stating that even with a potential resolution to the war, the security landscape would remain uncertain.

“Even after achieving peace, Russian leadership will not simply step away. This issue is being addressed together with the United States, and at the right moment, discussions on security guarantees will commence,” Lammy added.

Baerbock and Lammy’s statements reaffirm NATO’s strategic considerations regarding Ukraine’s long-term security integration, aligning with ongoing discussions among Allied nations.

Earlier at the conference, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reaffirmed that Ukraine will not remove NATO membership from negotiations. He emphasized that the most influential NATO member appears to be Vladimir Putin, as his demands have the power to block key decisions.