Olha Stefanishyna in Brussels: Any talks on security in Europe should start with the withdrawal of Russian troops

On January 10, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration Olha Stefanishyna took part in an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission.

The parties exchanged views on the so-called latest security proposals voiced by the Russian Federation. Olha Stefanishyna stressed that these draft treaties are not, in essence and in shape, a proposal for negotiations, but an open ultimatum containing demands that are incompatible with the values and principles of NATO and the entire democratic world.

"Russia's demands on its allies cannot be considered as a negotiating position. The aggressor has no right to set conditions until the last Russian soldier and tank leave the borders of Ukraine," stressed Olha Stefanishyna during a joint press conference with the NATO Secretary General ahead the meeting of the Commission.

"We see Russia trying to shift the focus of the debate by threatening a new war without taking any steps towards a peaceful settlement in the Minsk or Normandy formats. I want to emphasize once again that any security talks should begin with the withdrawal of Russian troops from the territory of Ukraine," said the Deputy Prime Minister.

The Deputy Prime Minister accentuated that the extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission on the eve of the Russia-NATO Council’s meeting was a clear demonstration of adherence to the principle of "nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine".

Olha Stefanishyna highlighted that if Russia continued to build up its troops along Ukraine's borders, it could gather enough forces to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The official called on the allies to exert every effort to prevent such a scenario. "We support the importance of keeping diplomatic channels open with Russia and engaging in dialogue if this will allow us to prevent the use of military instruments," urged Olha Stefanishyna.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed hope that NATO would demonstrate unity and determination to elaborate effective ways to counter military and hybrid threats at the next NATO Summit in Madrid. "We believe that the Alliance's fundamental principles, such as an open door policy, cannot be revised," said Olha Stefanishyna.

In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg noted that NATO members are united in supporting the right of each nation to choose its own path.