Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson believes that a full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine could have been avoided if Western countries had had the courage and consistency to accept Ukraine into NATO.
As he states in his Washington Post column, “For decades we have used diplomatic ambiguity about NATO and Ukraine – and it ended in complete disaster. We have been telling Ukrainians for years that we have an “open door” policy in NATO, that they have the right to “choose their own destiny” and that Russia should not have veto power. And all this time we have made it clear to Moscow that Ukraine will never join the alliance, because so many NATO members will themselves use the right of veto,” B. Johnson wrote.
The result, he noted, was the worst war in Europe in 80 years, and Russian President Vladimir Putin has destroyed countless lives, homes, hopes and dreams.
“Putin didn’t invade because he thought Ukraine was going to join NATO. He always knew it was unlikely. He attacked Ukraine because he believed – and he had enough evidence to do so – that we weren’t taking the defense of Ukraine very seriously. If we had been bold and consistent enough to bring Ukraine into NATO – if we really meant what we said – this complete disaster could have been avoided, ”wrote the former British prime minister.
He said that, according to the poll, support for Ukraine’s membership in NATO is now very high – 83%.
“Today, Ukrainians, with extraordinary skill and courage, use an amazing number of different weapons from NATO countries … NATO could not teach Ukrainians how to fight – in fact, they could teach us a lot,” Mr. Johnson said, thereby expressing his admiration for the Ukrainian defense.
He also pointed out that at one time Western countries had to insist that the Kremlin had nothing to fear from NATO, since it was a defensive alliance. “But Member States have taken this false position. I confess that for some time I agreed with them,” admitted Mr. Johnson.
He concluded by saying that “Ukrainians should get what they need to end this war as soon as possible.”
Source: Washington Post.
Source: Kathimerini
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