According to Politico, at least seven of 32 NATO member states, including the United States and Germany, are opposing Ukraine’s bid for an immediate invitation to join the alliance. Other countries hesitant about the bid include Hungary and Slovakia, both led by pro-Russian governments, as well as Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, Politico says, citing unnamed sources.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s “victory plan,” which includes receiving a NATO invitation during the ongoing war with Russia, is facing resistance from key alliance members, four US and NATO officials and diplomats told Politico anonymously.
“The alliance has not, to date, reached the point where it is prepared to offer membership or an invitation to Ukraine,” outgoing US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told Politico in an interview.
The Biden administration maintains that NATO admission would occur post-war, with required anti-corruption reforms in Ukraine, according to a senior US official cited by Politico.
While expressing gratitude for Germany’s military support, Zelenskyy acknowledged German skepticism, saying that “the fact that the German side is skeptical about our joining NATO is a fact.” The Ukrainian President believes that only US backing could influence Germany to support a NATO invitation for Ukraine.
Per Politico, Hungary and Slovakia are also opposing the move due to their leadership’s pro-Kremlin stance. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán called Zelenskyy’s victory plan “more than terrifying,” while Slovakia’s Robert Fico warned that Ukraine’s NATO membership “would be a good basis for a third world war.“
Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain are also reluctant but prefer to “hide behind the US and Germany,” one NATO official told Politico. A second official noted that countries “support it in the abstract but once it gets closer to materializing” they will start to balk more publicly.
Meanwhile, Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk expressed support for “opening up a NATO perspective for Ukraine” during last week’s EU leaders summit.
Related:
- Zelenskyy: Only US endorsement may sway Germany on NATO invitation for Ukraine
- Euroactiv: Finland urges Germany to lose reservations on Ukraine
- “I can’t support Zelenskyy’s whole Victory plan,” says NATO chief Rutte
- Poland to request access to secret annexes of Zelenskyy’s “Victory Plan”
- Zelenskyy’s plan to replace US troops in EU with Ukrainians is “inappropriate,” NATO Assembly chief says
- No NATO consensus yet on Ukraine invitation, White House official says
- Ukraine urges NATO invitation before Biden leaves office, ambassador says
