Staff Reports
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has declared that all allies agree that Ukraine will eventually become a member of the alliance. However, he stressed that this will only happen once the war is over and Ukraine has undergone necessary reforms. Stoltenberg announced that discussions during the upcoming NATO-Ukraine Council meeting will focus on priority reforms that Ukraine must make in order to meet the requirements for joining NATO.
NO. NO. NO. NO. NO. Biden needs to shut this down right now, but he wont because his administration is The War Industry.
World War III Watch: Secretary General Says ’Ukraine will become a member of NATO’… ‘All Allies Agree’https://t.co/12R36rjlZU
— Alex Marlow (@AlexMarlow) November 27, 2023
Stoltenberg highlighted the support that NATO has already provided to Ukraine, including the air defense coalition, billions in funding, and the opening of an F-16 training center in Romania for Ukrainian pilots. While he expressed confidence in Ukraine’s future membership, he also made it clear that certain conditions must be met. These include full interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces based on NATO doctrines and training procedures, as well as the end of the war.
The announcement by Stoltenberg has drawn criticism in the past, with some allies expressing caution about rushing Ukraine’s membership. Hungary, in particular, has concerns about the conflict spreading further into Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz also urged caution, stating that NATO is “far from” ready for Ukraine as a member due to the country’s inability to meet NATO’s criteria at this time.
Despite these reservations, Ukraine remains enthusiastic about joining NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has even referred to Ukraine as a de facto member already. While there is a willingness within NATO and the European Union to steer Ukraine towards integration, formal membership will only be considered once the war is over and Ukraine has addressed issues related to corruption, oligarchs, lobbying, and minority rights.
It is reassuring to see that NATO is standing firmly behind Ukraine and supporting its aspirations to join the alliance. However, it is crucial to prioritize the stability and security of the region. It would be unwise to rush Ukraine’s membership without addressing the ongoing war and necessary reforms. Hungary and Germany’s cautious approach should be heeded, as Ukraine must demonstrate its ability to meet NATO’s criteria for membership before being fully integrated. Slow and deliberate progress is necessary to ensure the long-term success and stability of the alliance.
