Nato prepares pact to reassure Ukraine
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Nato is aiming to conclude a separate agreement with Ukraine, for endorsement at its Madrid summit, setting out relations between an enlarged alliance and the former Soviet republic, Michael Portillo, the Secretary of State for Defence, said yesterday. The mooted pact - part of a tapestry of moves to reassure East European countries which will not be in the first group of new Nato members in 1999 - is further evidence of how the negotiating emphasis is already shifting from expansion itself to its consequences for countries that will be excluded.
Separately, the alliance is seeking a beefed-up Atlantic Partnership Council to replace the Partnership for Peace initiative. This is designed to meet concerns of the three Baltic nations, which like Ukraine, fear they will be left in a no-man's-land between an aggressive Russia and a Nato extended - in all probability - to the Czech Republic, Poland and Hungary. Rupert Cornwell - Washington
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments