**UK Leader Sticks to NATO Plan for Ukraine**
The United Kingdom’s Prime Minister, Keir Starmer, said on February 13 that his country still supports Ukraine’s path to joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). This was in response to comments from US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who said it was unrealistic for Ukraine to get back its borders as they were before 2014.
**Starmer Speaks Out**
At a news conference, Starmer reaffirmed that NATO’s decision at a summit last year was that Ukraine should have an “irreversible path” to joining the military alliance. He said this position has not changed.
**US and UK Positions Differ**
The US Defense Secretary had said earlier in the day that it was unlikely for Ukraine to get back its 2014 borders, which were lost during a conflict with Russia. However, he also said that Ukraine should be a “sovereign and prosperous” country, but this did not necessarily mean joining NATO.
**UK Leader Stands Firm**
When asked if the UK would change its position on Ukraine’s NATO membership, Starmer was clear: “No, obviously nobody was expecting (Ukraine’s NATO membership) to be immediate. It was a pathway over time.” He emphasized that the UK is committed to supporting Ukraine.
**Other European Leaders Weigh In**
Some European leaders have expressed concern and disappointment at Hegseth’s comments. For example, Estonian politician Marko Mihkelson said that the US statement might go down in history as a “dark day for Europe”.
**Ukraine’s President Speaks with Trump**
In a phone call between Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump, Zelensky reportedly told Trump that Russian President Vladimir Putin is pretending to want peace because he is afraid of the US.
**Other News**
The agricultural trade between Ukraine and the European Union (EU) has reached $17 billion in 2024, a new record. The EU’s main stock market and currencies are also rising amid optimism about a potential peace deal between Ukraine and Russia.
Read More @ kyivindependent.com