'Absurd': Zelenskyy slams NATO for delay in Ukraine membership
What's the story
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Tuesday slammed the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for not setting a timeline for Ukraine to join the military alliance. Terming the response "absurd," he said there appears to be no willingness to invite Ukraine to NATO or make it a member of the alliance. Zelenskyy said the delay was motivating Russia to continue its terror in Ukraine.
Context
Why does this story matter?
In 2008, NATO agreed to make Ukraine a member but provided no timeline or accession process. Last year, the 31-member alliance said Ukraine cannot join NATO while the war was ongoing as this would trigger NATO Article 5's mutual defense clause and draw all members into the Russia-Ukraine crisis. Ukraine too agreed to it but urged them to set some timeframe and mandatory procedure.
Statement
For Russia, delay means motivation to continue terror: Zelenskyy
In a strong-worded tweet, Zelenskyy said, "It seems there is no readiness neither to invite Ukraine to NATO nor to make it a member of the alliance." "This means that a window of opportunity is being left to bargain Ukraine's membership in NATO in negotiations with Russia. And for Russia, this means motivation to continue its terror," he said.
Details
Zelenskyy says NATO adds vague conditions for inviting Ukraine
Zelenskyy termed NATO's response "unprecedented" and "absurd" for not setting the timeframe for the invitation or the membership. "At the same time, vague wording about 'conditions' is added even for inviting Ukraine," he tweeted. His response came after the NATO summit in Lithuania resolved on Tuesday to "extend an invitation" to Ukraine when "allies agree and conditions are met," per Financial Times.
Twitter Post
Check out Twitter post by Zelenskyy
We value our allies. We value our shared security. And we always appreciate an open conversation.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) July 11, 2023
Ukraine will be represented at the NATO summit in Vilnius. Because it is about respect.
But Ukraine also deserves respect. Now, on the way to Vilnius, we received signals that…
NATO
Allies' stance on Ukraine's NATO membership
Reportedly, the United Kingdom wants Ukraine's membership process fast-tracked, while the Baltic states and eastern European nations want the alliance to come clear on conditions for Ukraine to meet. However, some allies, including the United States and Germany, expressed caution, wanting Kyiv to tackle internal administrative issues first. They are also concerned that NATO might be dragged into the war.