**NATO Unlikely to Invite Ukraine to Join at Upcoming Meeting**
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) countries are unlikely to invite Ukraine to join the military alliance during their upcoming meeting on December 3-4, Reuters reported.
This decision comes despite Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha asking his NATO counterparts to issue an invitation to join the alliance. The request was made in a letter to NATO ministers on November 29.
Ukraine submitted its application to join NATO in September 2022 and has been working towards membership ever since. However, NATO countries will likely take weeks or months to reach a consensus on this issue, according to a senior NATO diplomat.
**Zelensky’s Plea for Membership**
President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine also made a plea for NATO membership, suggesting that ending the “hot phase” of war along Ukraine’s eastern front could be achieved in exchange for joining the alliance. However, Zelensky clarified that this would not include occupied territories.
The Ukrainian leader also mentioned that his country might have to liberate some Russian-held territories through diplomatic means after becoming a NATO member. He stated that the military “lacks the strength” to do so immediately.
**US Official‘s Comments**
A senior U.S. official told Reuters that the upcoming meeting would focus on bringing Ukraine into the strongest possible position next year, which could lead to negotiations with Russia. The official added that supporting Ukraine through funding and munitions is a more effective way to support the country than issuing a membership invitation.
**Recent Developments**
A Russian drone attack damaged energy infrastructure in Ternopil on December 3. President Zelensky refused to provide a detailed number of casualties, stating that it was “less, much less” than reported by some American media outlets.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that 110 Shahed-type drones and other unmanned aerial vehicles were launched against Ukraine overnight, with 52 shot down and 50 lost due to electronic warfare countermeasures.