In a significant development, NATO leaders have made a decision to allow Ukraine to join the alliance once certain conditions are met and agreed upon by all allies. This decision comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky criticized NATO for not setting a timetable for his country, calling it absurd. NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg announced that the requirement for a membership action plan will be eliminated, making Ukraine’s path to membership more streamlined. This move shifts Ukraine’s membership process from a two-step path to a one-step path. The announcement was made during the NATO summit and was reported by the AP.
Although several NATO members have provided military support to Ukraine, there is no consensus among the 31 allies regarding Ukraine’s admission into NATO. However, instead of granting membership immediately, the alliance leaders have decided to remove obstacles in Ukraine’s membership process, ensuring a faster integration once the conflict with Russia is resolved. Zelensky strongly criticized this decision, stating that it is unprecedented and absurd to not set a specific timeframe for Ukraine’s invitation and membership. He expressed doubts about NATO’s readiness to invite Ukraine and make it a member of the alliance, highlighting the vague wording used to describe the conditions. Zelensky shared his thoughts on Twitter before attending the NATO summit in Vilnius.
Zelensky is scheduled to meet with President Biden and other NATO leaders on Wednesday. The issue of Ukraine’s desire to join NATO has caused divisions within the alliance, despite the promise made in 2008. The Baltic states, particularly Lithuania, which is hosting the summit, have advocated for strong support and a clear pathway for Ukraine’s membership. However, the United States and Germany have urged caution, with Biden stating that Ukraine is not yet prepared to join. Additionally, there are concerns that Ukraine’s inclusion in NATO could provoke Russia rather than serve as a deterrent against aggression. It is worth noting that Turkey has withdrawn its objection to Sweden joining NATO.
Denial of responsibility! VigourTimes is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
