Ukraine’s MFA Responds to Russia’s Demands for NATO Renunciation: “Utter Bullshit”

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that Russia will demand Ukraine renounce its intention to join NATO. In response, Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs called such demands “utter bullshit.”

The statement was made by Heorhii Tykhyi, spokesperson for Ukraine's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, on January 24.

“Aw shucks, North Korea’s ally issuing ultimatums to NATO. Utter bullshit,” he stated.

Tykhyi said that the architecture of European security is “built on protection from Russia” and that Russia has no say in this matter.

At the 2008 NATO summit, Ukraine and Georgia were denied a Membership Action Plan but received a declaration stating that both nations would one day become members of the alliance. Grushko called the decision made at the Summit “catastrophic for European security,” as it solidified the intention to admit Ukraine and Georgia into NATO.

Grushko also labeled this decision as the cause of the war in Ukraine. And for this reason, according to him, Russia demands “ironclad guarantees” that Ukraine will not join NATO.

Earlier, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte warned that Russian victory over Ukraine would weaken the deterrence capability of the world’s largest military alliance. He called on member states to increase defense spending and improve military production to maintain security in the coming years.