Sunak: Ukraine’s Rightful Place Is in NATO

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak speaks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a bilateral meeting at the European Political Community Summit at Mimi Castle, Moldova, on June 1, 2023. (Carl Court/PA Media)

Ukraine’s “rightful place” is in the NATO military alliance, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has said.

Sunak made the comments after meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at a gathering of European leaders in Moldova on Thursday.

Speaking to broadcasters at the European Political Community summit, the prime minister said, “I agree with the NATO secretary general that Ukraine’s rightful place is in NATO and what we are also talking to Ukraine about right now is making sure they have all the support they need for a successful counteroffensive.”

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy poses with fellow European leaders for a photo during the European Political Community Summit at Mimi Castle in Bulboaca near Chisinau, Moldova, on June 1, 2023. (Carl Court/PA Media)

Sunak said he was “proud” of the UK’s record in supporting Ukraine, adding, “We want to make sure we put in place security arrangements for Ukraine for the long term, so we send a very strong signal to [Russian President] Vladimir Putin that we are not going anywhere, we are here to stay and we will continue backing Ukraine—not just now, but for years into the future.”

Sunak also said that Britain is working with allies to ensure Ukraine is supplied with fighter jets.

He wrote on Twitter, “We’re working with international partners to ensure Ukraine has the combat air capability needed to repel ongoing Russian aggression.”

Allies Divided

The gathering, on the border of Ukraine, comes ahead of a key meeting of NATO leaders in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.

Addressing leaders at the start of the gathering, Zelenskyy asked NATO members to take a clear decision on whether to accept Ukraine and also reiterated calls for Western fighter jets to protect Ukrainian skies as well as providing Patriot missile-defence systems.

Kyiv has long called for Ukraine to be admitted to NATO, but allies are divided about when and how any accession might happen as the war with Russia continues.

Some member states have expressed concerns that a hasty move could bring the alliance closer to direct confrontation with Russia.

Support for Moldova

Moldovan President Maia Sandu hosted the summit at a castle just 20 kilometres from Ukrainian territory and near the Russian-backed breakaway Transnistria region of Moldova.

Moldova, an ex-Soviet republic of 2.5 million people, is seeking a path to EU accession while being wary of Russia.

Sandu, a pro-Western leader whose relations with Moscow became severely strained after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine last year, was using the summit to push for talks to make Moldova’s EU entry as fast as possible.

At the summit, Sunak offered support to Moldova, saying on Twitter: “As the first British prime minister to visit Moldova, I’m pleased to announce new support to aid them in the face of Russian aggression. Moldova is not alone.”

Moldova, which was playing host to nearly 50 European leaders for the summit, has accepted thousands of refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion last year.

Foreign Secretary James Cleverly in March announced UK funding of £10 million for Moldova, earmarked for economic and governance reforms and including the energy sector.

Illegal Immigration

Security for Ukraine and Moldova dominated the summit, but the UK prime minister sought to put the issue of illegal immigration top of the agenda, too.

Speaking to broadcasters, Sunak said: “Whether it’s standing up to Russian aggression here in Moldova or in Ukraine, but also tackling illegal migration, are challenges that we can only really solve when we work together with other countries.

“I’ve been having a series of very productive discussions here to strengthen everyone’s support for Ukraine, but also to work cooperatively to tackle illegal migration, which is one of my five big priorities.”

PA Media and Reuters contributed to this report.