No country can stop Ukraine's participation in NATO, claims US Defence Secretary

Kyiv/Washington: – US Secretary of Defence, Lloyd Austin, asserted that no other country could stop Ukraine from joining NATO. Austin also claimed that Russia was a major obstacle to the peace process, accusing Russia of starting the conflict in eastern Ukraine. On Monday, Russia warned that Ukraine’s accession to NATO would be a ‘red line’ for Russia and provoke aggressive retaliation.

Saying ‘Ukraine has every right to decide what its foreign policy should be. We believe that Ukraine can exercise this right without any outside interference.’ Lloyd Austin, US Secretary of Defence, warned that no other country could veto the decision to include Ukraine in NATO. This time, Austin also criticised Russia over the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

The US Secretary of Defence warned that Russia has started the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Russia is the biggest obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. In the near future, Russia should stop inciting the conflict in eastern Ukraine and withdraw from Crimea. Russia must also contain its actions destabilising the Black Sea and Ukrainian borders. Austin also assured that the United States is ready to provide all the Ukraine’s assistance to protect itself from Russia’s aggressive movements.

In recent months, tensions between Russia and Ukraine have begun to fester once again. The reasons behind this are the ongoing Ukrainian movements for NATO membership, Russia’s fuel pipeline, increasing military exercises, and clashes in eastern Ukraine. Just last month, Ukraine expressed its desire to become a member of NATO. Dmitry Peskov, the spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, warned that the issue threatened Russian security.

On Monday, Russia took an aggressive stance once again. It said that Ukrainian inclusion in NATO was a ‘red line’ for Russian interests. At the same time, Dmitry Peskov, spokesman for President Vladimir Putin, pointed out that Russia will respond strongly. While Peskov is issuing this warning, tensions between Russia and NATO are also rising. NATO has suspended eight Russian officials on espionage charges. In retaliation, Russia announced that it has severed all diplomatic ties with NATO.