The “Bucharest Nine” summit participants approved Ukraine’s future membership in NATO and plan to continue providing financial and military support to Kyiv. In addition, the countries call on Russia to immediately withdraw its troops from Ukrainian territory, the joint statement says.
“We strive for a more powerful, multi-year and comprehensive package of support for Ukraine, which will strengthen its defense capabilities also by implementing NATO standards and increasing operational interoperability with NATO,” the summit participants noted.
Peace and order in Europe can be reinstated only if the territorial integrity of Ukraine is restored within internationally recognized borders, the members of the “Bucharest Nine” added. The countries’ leaders emphasized their unwavering support for Ukraine’s independence and sovereignty.
“Ukraine has a legitimate right to defend itself against this aggression under international law, including the UN Charter. Russia must stop its ongoing attacks on Ukrainian civilians and infrastructure, deportation of children and conflict-related sexual violence. Those responsible for the crime of aggression, all crimes and war crimes must be brought to justice,” the B9 leaders said.
Summit participants also supported the creation of an appropriate legal mechanism to ensure accountability for the crime of aggression against Ukraine.
The “Bucharest Nine” includes Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Hungary, and the Czech Republic. The international initiative is designed to discuss key security issues and the deepening of military cooperation between the countries of NATO’s eastern flank.
The summit of the North Atlantic Alliance will take place in Vilnius, Lithuania, on July 11-12. Ukraine expects to receive specific proposals regarding security guarantees, the best of which is an invitation to NATO, Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
Cover: The Independent
