Ukraine may receive upgraded status of NATO application by the end of Biden’s term: FT
US President Joe Biden may decide to upgrade the status of Ukraine’s bid for NATO membership before he leaves office in January. About this reported a Western official who briefed the Financial Times on talks between President Volodymyr Zelenskyi and the American leader during his visit to Washington.
Ukraine sees a key role in providing real security guarantees that can stop war, not just postpone it or provoke a new conflict.
“We need real guarantees. Without them, the war will continue or break out again”, – stressed the Ukrainian official.
Ukraine’s membership in NATO remains a strategic goal, but as the Financial Times points out, many of the 32 members of the alliance see it as unlikely without a lasting ceasefire and clearly defined borders to which NATO’s collective defense will extend.
One of the proposed options is the model of West Germany – partial accession to NATO, which involves the participation of only part of the country. However, such a scenario would require a significant involvement of the US military and its allies, which may not be acceptable to any US administration, Democratic or Republican.
Ukrainian officials emphasize that any steps other than full membership in NATO are unlikely to stop the Kremlin’s aggression.
“The invitation to NATO is only a political gesture, and it does not in itself provide real security”, — noted one of the Ukrainian high-ranking officials.
The invitation to NATO remains one of the important points in President Zelensky’s “victory plan”. However, some members of the Alliance, as the President of Turkey emphasized, express objections to Ukraine’s full membership.
