In response to a journalist's questions regarding the membership format and the application of Article 5 of the Washington Treaty concerning the protection of NATO members, the minister noted that there is currently no dialogue on this matter. According to him, a "suitable time" must come for this, he emphasized.
Sibiga acknowledged that during wartime, an agreement on the membership format does not seem realistic.
"We are a country facing Russian aggression, and it is indeed difficult to discuss the possibility of a country joining NATO when military actions are taking place on its territory. This is the position of certain NATO members who believe that it could directly involve them in the war. Ukraine does not seek this," the minister explained.
At the same time, he emphasized that Kyiv's fundamental position regarding membership remains unchanged: Ukraine views NATO membership as the only possible guarantee of security for itself, and this is its strategic goal.
Article 5 of the treaty states that NATO members agree that "an armed attack against one or more of them in Europe or North America shall be considered an attack against them all, and consequently, they agree that if such an armed attack occurs, each of them, exercising the right of individual or collective self-defense recognized by Article 51 of the UN Charter, will provide assistance."