Senior EU officials say the issue of Ukraine joining NATO has been put on hold.

On December 15, the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kallas, stated, "The issue of Ukraine joining NATO is no longer being discussed, and she called on the EU to provide Ukraine with 'practical security guarantees'."

Kallas pointed out, "Since the agenda for Ukraine to join NATO has been put on hold, the EU must provide it with truly substantive security guarantees, not just empty words." She emphasized, "These guarantees must be real armies and real capabilities."

According to current public reports, Kallas's remarks mainly reflect that after the issue of Ukraine joining NATO has been blocked, the EU is trying to explore alternative security guarantee solutions.

The information revealed is:

The issue of Ukraine joining NATO is "no longer being discussed" or "has been put on hold," which essentially confirms the current diplomatic reality.

It is determined that the EU has a responsibility. She believes that in this situation, the EU has the responsibility to consider providing Ukraine with alternative "practical security guarantees," rather than allowing Ukraine's security to become a vacuum.

Kallas particularly emphasized that such guarantees cannot be just "empty words" or "promises," but must be real armies and actual military capabilities to ensure Ukraine can defend itself. This indicates that her proposed security guarantees may include long-term military support or some form of security commitment.

Kallas's remarks reveal that in the context where Ukraine's accession to NATO seems hopeless and peace negotiations are intensifying, the EU is beginning to face and plan a "second-best" but substantial security arrangement for Ukraine. However, the specific form, legal effect, and relationship with future peace agreements of such "security guarantees" remain to be observed later.

The Russian side has consistently opposed Western arms supplies to Ukraine, believing it is "playing with fire" and bringing NATO into the conflict. A Russian presidential aide said that if the peace plan contains "completely unacceptable clauses," Russia will strongly oppose it.

No matter how ideal the European design is, if Russia does not agree, it is just empty words.

Original: toutiao.com/article/1851571028979740/

Statement: This article represents the personal views of the author.