Becoming part of NATO is an important part of Zelensky‘s victory plan. But some alliance members are apparently blocking this step so far.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s plan to become part of NATO is apparently meeting with resistance. Among other things, Germany and the USA should block an immediate invitation, reports “Politico” and refers to the statements of four anonymous US and NATO officials. In principle, both countries are open to joining in the future.
In his victory plan, Zelensky had called for an immediate invitation, but also admitted that actual joining the alliance would only be possible after the end of the war with Russia.
The US and German positions had already been indicated previously. Chancellor Olaf Scholz in particular has been hesitant so far, Selenskyj said. He has a good relationship with the Chancellor and is grateful for the help of the second most important supporter, “but the fact that the German side is skeptical about our joining NATO is a fact.”
Meanwhile, outgoing US Ambassador to NATO Julianne Smith told Politico: “The alliance has not yet reached the point where it would be willing to offer Ukraine membership or an invitation.”
But there is apparently also resistance from other NATO members. Hungary and Slovakia also want to prevent Ukraine from joining. The heads of state Viktor Orbán and Robert Fico are generally in line with the Kremlin and have communicated this clearly in the past. Fico said earlier this month that Ukraine joining NATO would be “a good basis for a third world war” and vowed he would “never agree to it.” Orbán called Zelensky’s victory plan “more than frightening.”
Other European countries such as Belgium, Spain and Slovenia are at least skeptical, reports Politico. A NATO representative reports: “They are hiding behind the USA and Germany. They are reserved.”
However, Ukraine denies the report. The information is not true, explains Zelensky’s press spokesman Serhiy Nikiforov, reports the Ukrainian news agency RBC. The rumors would benefit those who want to create the false impression that Ukraine’s accession does not have widespread support among alliance members.
According to the “Politico” report, the Baltic states and Poland appear to have a clearly positive attitude towards Ukrainian accession.