The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reviewed Russian draft agreements with the United States and with NATO with regards to the so-called “security guarantees” that were circulated by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, according to statement released by Oleg Nikolenko, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, APA reports.

“In the context of provisions of these draft agreements that concern Ukraine, we emphasise that only Ukraine and NATO member states have the right to decide the direction of further development of our relations, including the matter of Ukraine gaining membership in the Alliance.

NATO shares the same position, which was confirmed, in particular, in its statement of 16 December 2021.

The same applies to the exclusive sovereign right of Ukraine to independently determine the course of its relations with foreign states at the bilateral level, which includes military cooperation.

We underline the generally accepted fact: the main security problem for the Euro-Atlantic area today is Russia’s armed aggression, as well as the current Russian escalation along Ukraine’s border and in its occupied territories. The cessation of escalation and stopping of the international armed conflict that have been started by Russia are the best guarantees of security on the continent.

In this regard, we call on Russia, as the initial constructive steps, to return immediately and unconditionally to constructive agenda and start implementing the Minsk and Normandy Leaders’ Agreements, including the general agreed conclusions of the 2019 Normandy Four Summit that pertain to strict adherence to the ceasefire, further withdrawal of forces and equipment, continuation of the demining process, implementation of the political aspects of the Overall Agreed Conclusions of the Paris Summit, opening and ensuring the proper functioning of new checkpoints on the contact line, conducting the next stages of the process of mutual release of detainees and exchange of the relevant lists,” the statement reads.

Source: Azeri-Press News Agency