Staff Reports
The Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, has reiterated the alliance’s support for Ukraine and its intention for the country to join NATO in the future. Stoltenberg made this announcement ahead of a meeting with the NATO-Ukraine Council. He stated that all members of NATO agree that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance. However, there are certain conditions that need to be met before Ukraine can join.
NATO Looks to ‘Israel Style’ Relationship With Ukraine, Rejecting Full Membership… For Nowhttps://t.co/AJhqrp8SBy
— Breitbart London (@BreitbartLondon) July 11, 2023
Stoltenberg emphasized the importance of Ukraine implementing “priority reforms” to make the country eligible for NATO membership. He highlighted recent support provided to Ukraine by NATO, including air defense assistance, financial aid, and the opening of a training center for Ukrainian pilots. Stoltenberg also stressed the need for Ukraine to achieve full interoperability with NATO forces and resolve its ongoing conflict before becoming a member.
While Stoltenberg’s remarks are confident about Ukraine’s future in NATO, some member states have expressed reservations. Hungary’s Prime Minister Victor Orban has voiced his concerns, citing the proximity to the conflict as a reason to be cautious about Ukraine’s accession. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has also urged caution, stating that NATO’s criteria for membership are currently beyond Ukraine’s capabilities.
Despite these reservations, Ukraine remains eager to join NATO. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has even described the country as a de facto member of the alliance already. However, it is clear that Ukraine still has work to do to meet NATO’s standards and overcome the challenges it faces internally
