Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has faced criticism from ex-Russian President Dmitry Medvedev over his call to accept Ukraine into NATO. Medvedev suggests that Johnson should be treated by psychiatrists for his proposal, stating that he should be accepted to a mental hospital where he can pose as a “tough guy demanding to launch World War III.”
In an opinion piece for the Daily Mail, Johnson criticized NATO’s stance on Ukraine. He argued that the organization’s promise to extend an invitation to Ukraine was no firmer or more convincing than the promise made during the Bucharest summit in 2008. Johnson pointed out that according to the Bucharest conclusions, the allies agreed to Ukraine’s membership 15 years ago.
Johnson emphasized that Ukraine is in desperate need of NATO membership due to its ongoing conflict with Russia. He suggested that NATO should set out a timetable for membership, to be implemented once victory in the conflict is achieved. However, Johnson clarified that he does not advocate for instant membership while the war is ongoing.
It is worth noting that Johnson’s tenure as prime minister was marred by scandals, leading to his resignation in September. He has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and has advocated for a military solution to the conflict with Moscow. There are reports suggesting that he played a role in derailing peace talks between Russia and Ukraine last year.
Russia views NATO as a hostile bloc and strongly opposes its expansion into Eastern Europe. Moscow sees Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO as one of the main reasons for its military operation against Ukraine in February 2022.
The tensions between Russia and Ukraine continue to escalate, with the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO adding fuel to the fire. The international community is closely monitoring the situation and seeking diplomatic solutions to de-escalate the conflict.
Critics argue that accepting Ukraine into NATO could further strain relations with Russia and potentially escalate the conflict. Others believe that NATO membership would provide Ukraine with the necessary support and security guarantees to protect its sovereignty. As the situation unfolds, it remains to be seen how these debates will be resolved and what implications they will have for the region and beyond.
Source link
