Ukraine ‘dangerous’ for NATO – Italy — RT World News

Granting Ukraine NATO membership while the country is locked in a conflict with Russia is crucial 'Danger to everyone' Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani said this could lead to a world war.

Speaking at the Munich Security Conference on Saturday, Tajani reiterated that NATO “Working to include Ukraine in the Union” But he should act discreetly and instead of making rash decisions properly “Paving the way to achieve these goals.”

He added: “Frankly, it is dangerous for everyone because you are fighting against Russia, and for a full member of NATO this means World War III.” The minister said in response to a question about the possibility of Ukraine joining the bloc.

He added: “We want to support you, but these rules are very clear – if there is an attack against a NATO member, this means NATO intervention and that is why we must be careful.” He explained, adding that the current status of cooperation between the US-led bloc and Kiev “It sends a clear message to Russia.”

NATO first announced that Ukraine would join in 2008. After the Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, Ukraine strengthened its participation in the alliance, enshrining membership in its constitution as a strategic goal in 2017. In the fall of 2022, it formally applied to join NATO. After four of its former regions voted overwhelmingly to become part of Russia.

At the NATO summit in Vilnius last year, NATO foreign ministers stated that Ukraine needed to implement “Additional reforms in the democratic and security sector” In order to join the bloc saying that invitation will only be extended “When the allies agree and the conditions are met.”

While the matter is expected to be discussed further at the summit to be held in Washington, D.C., next July, Foreign Policy magazine reported last month that Washington and Berlin oppose the idea for fear of a potential large-scale confrontation with Moscow.

Russia views NATO's expansion towards its borders as a major security threat. President Vladimir Putin said that Western powers used Ukraine to antagonize Russia after the fall of the Soviet Union. In a recent interview with Tucker Carlson, Putin called the West's approach to Ukraine a massive political mistake, and pointed to NATO's 2008 promise to admit the country into the bloc, as well as the Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014.