In an interview with TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov responded to comments by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg that Ukraine’s entry into NATO was conditional on its victory over Russia. “This means this will never happen,” Ryabkov stated pointedly. “I hope Mr. Stoltenberg understands this.” When asked if it means that Ukraine will never join NATO, Ryabkov reiterated: “I think that this is ruled out.”