Stoltenberg commented on the agreement rumors.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg criticized the idea of «Finlandization» Ukraine. According to him, the Ukrainian authorities should decide for themselves whether to join the North Atlantic Alliance or not, reports the Chronicle.info with reference to RBC-Ukraine.
«All NATO allies, including France, recognized the right of all countries to determine their own path. The idea that great powers can decide what neighbors can do — this is the world we don't want to return to. Spheres of influence are part of history and should remain part of history», — said the Secretary General of NATO.
At the same time, he stressed that Ukraine has the right to apply to join the Alliance.
«Ukraine has the right to apply to join NATO, and the decision about whether it is suitable for membership, should be accepted by the allies, and no one else», — added Stoltenberg.
Note that the concept of «finlandization» arose during the Cold War, when Finland decided to maintain a serious neutrality. This was enshrined in an agreement with Moscow in 1948.
At that time, relations between Europe and Russia were at a high level of tension. The neutrality agreement was a guarantee that Helsinki would not face a Soviet invasion. In exchange for Finland, Finland pledged not to join NATO and to allow the Russian Federation to exert powerful influence on its foreign and domestic policy.
Recall that the Daily Mail reported earlier that French President Emmanuel Macron, at a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, proposed to secure a neutral status for Ukraine, thereby excluding the possibility of joining NATO.