NATO officials reaffirmed the commitment to Ukraine joining the alliance at a meeting of defence ministers in Brussels. However, they did not provide a concrete timetable or an immediate invitation.
This is in response to Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky’s call for accelerated NATO Membership as part of his proposed Victory Plan revealed to the public on October 16.
Zelenskyy also has a victory plan that includes:
* Strengthening Ukraine’s military capabilities
* Restoring full territorial Integrity, including Crimea
* Implementing anticorruption measures to improve governance.
* Building stronger international alliances.
Mark Rutte, NATO Secretary-General, said: “I can’t today exactly sketch out the path, but I’m absolutely confident that Ukraine will join us in the future.”
Rutte sent a clear message to Russian president Vladimir Putin by highlighting NATO’s commitment to Ukraine over the long term. He said that the alliance was “in this, if needed, for the long haul.”
This statement highlights NATO’s aim to empower Ukraine in future negotiations.
US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith said that the alliance’s stance remains unchanged since the summer summit declaration, that Ukraine is on “an irreversible path to member.”
Smith stressed that NATO “is not at a stage where it is talking about issuing a short-term invitation.”
Rutte said that Ukraine can continue to rely on NATO for support during this uncertain period. The specific steps and timeline of Ukraine’s possible accession to NATO are still unclear.
Smith reported that the US policy on the controversial issue of allowing long-range attacks with Western weapons on Russian soil had not changed.
She stated, “We provide all the necessary assistance to Ukraine in order to defend its territorial integrity.”
Smith said that Ukraine has requested additional air defense systems, artillery and ammunition, and armored vehicle.
Mark Rutte had earlier expressed reservations about Zelenskyy’s “whole-victory plan” to reclaim the occupied territories. He stressed the need for realistic strategies in the ongoing conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian ambassador stressed that a formal invitation to join NATO should be issued to Ukraine in order to leave a lasting legacy for US President Joe Biden, before he leaves his office in January.
Ambassador says that Ukraine wants to invite NATO before Biden leaves office
Zelenskyy presents 5-point “Victory Plan”, to Ukrainian Parliament
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