Staff Reports
In a recent statement, the Secretary General of NATO, Jens Stoltenberg, emphasized NATO’s long-term support for Ukraine and confirmed that all allies agree on Ukraine’s future membership in the alliance. However, Stoltenberg made it clear that this would not happen while the war is ongoing and before Ukraine has undergone significant reforms.
‘All Allies Agree’ Ukraine Will Join NATO, Says Alliance Boss https://t.co/agGwiCNb3a
— Wendy Kortepeter (@WKortepeter) November 27, 2023
Stoltenberg highlighted the various forms of support that NATO has already provided to Ukraine, such as the air defense coalition, substantial funding, and the opening of a training center for Ukrainian pilots in Romania. These are all positive steps towards closer cooperation between Ukraine and NATO.
Despite the assurance of Ukraine’s eventual NATO membership, Stoltenberg emphasized that certain conditions need to be met first. These include reforms to ensure full interoperability between Ukrainian and NATO forces, based on NATO doctrines and training procedures. Furthermore, Ukraine must resolve its ongoing conflict and establish peace before becoming a full member of the alliance.
While Stoltenberg’s remarks are met with criticism from some NATO members, particularly Hungary, the enthusiasm from Ukraine remains high. President Volodymyr Zelensky has even referred to Ukraine as a de facto member of NATO already.
Germany, on the other hand, has urged caution and emphasized the need for Ukraine to address its internal issues, such as corruption and minority rights, before pursuing NATO membership. Chancellor Olaf Scholz has stated that NATO is “far from” ready for Ukraine to join and that the time for discussing security guarantees would come after the war.
Overall, NATO’s reaffirmation of support for Ukraine and its commitment to Ukraine’s future membership is a positive development. However, the alliance also acknowledges that certain prerequisites must be met before Ukraine can join. It is crucial for Ukraine to continue its reforms and work towards resolving the ongoing conflict for a smooth path towards NATO membership.
