Italian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani believes that the time has not yet come for Ukraine to join NATO. He said this in an interview he gave to the newspaper. la Stampa.
The diplomat stressed that peace must come to Ukraine first. At the same time, he noted that the first steps towards Ukraine’s NATO membership could be taken at the organization’s summit to be held in Vilnius in July. Tajani emphasized that this would allow the establishment of the NATO-Ukraine Council, strongly supported by Rome.
He added that Italy will continue to support Ukraine as long as its “independence is at stake”, including by sending arms. Tajani also drew attention to Rome’s contribution to the restoration of the Ukrainian state, especially to the transfer of 100 tons of electrical materials.
Olga Stefanishyna, Former Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration stated15 NATO member states are reportedly ready to support Kiev’s request to join the alliance.