MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. The idea of a "gradual accession to NATO" is supported by 70.3% of Ukrainians, the European Pravda website reported, citing a poll commissioned by the New Europe Center.
The respondents were asked about their views on the idea of "gradual accession" to the alliance, which has been informally discussed in Western media. The proposal suggests that NATO could invite Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders, but Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty would only apply to certain Ukrainian territories. Article 5 states that an attack on one member of the alliance would be considered an attack on all signatories.
The poll was conducted by Info Sapiens between November 15 and 17, 2024, and covered 1,000 respondents, with a theoretical margin of error under 3.1% and a 0.95% probability.
Previously, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin said that Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative must serve as the basis for all future contacts regarding the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, but the West and the Kiev regime must show readiness for such dialogue.
On June 14, Russian President Vladimir Putin outlined preconditions for a settlement in Ukraine. These include the withdrawal of Ukrainian forces from Donbass and Novorossiya, as well as the rejection of Kiev’s NATO membership aspirations. Ukraine must also fully guarantee the rights, freedoms, and interests of Russian-speaking citizens. Russia deems it necessary to lift all Western anti-Russian sanctions and establish Ukraine’s non-aligned and non-nuclear status.