President Biden: Ukraine Not Ready for NATO Membership During Ongoing Conflict
In an interview that aired on Sunday, President Biden expressed his belief that Ukraine is not ready for membership in NATO and that it would be premature to initiate the process while the country is still engaged in a war. Speaking with CNN’s Fareed Zakaria, Biden stated that there is no unanimity within NATO about Ukraine’s inclusion in the alliance at this time. He stressed that the process of Ukraine joining NATO should be pursued only after a peace agreement with Russia is in place.
Biden emphasized the importance of a peace agreement, stating, “If the war is going on, then we’re all in war. We’re at war with Russia, if that were the case.” He added that Ukraine would need to meet other qualifications, including democratization, to be considered for membership.
The president’s remarks come as he embarks on a trip to Europe, which includes attending a NATO summit in Lithuania. The war in Ukraine, as well as the United States’ recent decision to supply Kyiv with banned weapons, will be key topics of discussion during the summit.
Biden revealed that he had cautioned China’s President Xi Jinping about getting too close to Russia. He mentioned reminding Xi that numerous American corporations had withdrawn from Russia since the war began. Observing China’s restrained response to Russia’s actions, Biden said, “He didn’t argue. And if you notice, he has not gone full-bore on Russia.”
The president also defended his decision to provide Ukraine with cluster munitions, which are prohibited by several of the United States’ closest allies. Biden acknowledged that it was a challenging decision but explained that the alternative was leaving Ukraine defenseless as their artillery supplies were depleting. He assured that the decision was made after discussions with allies and lawmakers.
Another significant subject that will be addressed at the NATO summit is Sweden’s desire to join the alliance. Despite opposition from President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey, Biden expressed optimism about Sweden’s potential inclusion. Interestingly, Erdogan voiced support for Ukraine’s membership, stating on Saturday alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that “Ukraine deserves NATO membership with no doubt.”
Addressing concerns about his age, as he is 80 and running for re-election, Biden maintained his commitment to promoting global security. He asserted, “I think we’re putting the world together in a way that is going to make things significantly, how can I say it, more secure for people. I just want to finish the job. And I think we can do that in the next six years.”
The upcoming NATO summit holds great importance as global leaders discuss Ukraine’s situation, potential new members, and the future of the alliance.