NATO isnt rushing to welcome Ukraine into its ranks‚ as allies want more details about President Zelenskyys victory plan to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. The plan focuses on speeding up Ukraines membership application made about two years ago (seeking protection under NATOs security umbrella)
NATOs strength comes from its collective security guarantee Article 5 of its founding treaty. Its a promise that all 32 member countries will help any member whos attacked; however this doesnt apply to partner countries like Ukraine
Mark Rutte NATO Secretary-General didnt embrace the victory plan saying only that he and the allies take note of it. He avoided discussing when Ukraine might join the alliance insisting only that it would become a member
“The plan has many aspects and many political and military issues we really need to hammer out with the Ukrainians to understand whats behind it‚ to see what we can do what we cannot do“ Rutte said at NATO headquarters in Brussels
He added “We are in close contact with allies with Ukraine to see how we can take next steps“. Rutte didnt give details about what more NATO wants to know‚ saying only: “I cannot give you all the insights about that“
For now Rutte said the focus must be on helping Ukraine win back more territory and strengthen its position for future peace talks
Zelenskyy is set to explain parts of his plan on 10/17/2024 to European Union leaders (most of whom are also NATO members)
This comes at a tough time for Ukraine. Its troops are having trouble holding off better-equipped Russian forces especially in eastern Donetsk where theyre slowly being pushed back. Kyiv is surviving with Western help but Ukraine says its not coming fast enough
While outlining his plan Zelenskyy told Ukrainian lawmakers that giving the country a NATO invitation would show allies determination to support its efforts
“An invitation is a strong decision that requires nothing but determination“ he said
Ukraines future in NATO is something the alliance has thought about for 16 years. At their summit in Washington in July 2024 the 32 members said Ukraine was on an irreversible path to membership. But to outsiders little seems to have changed since NATO leaders promised Ukraine and Georgia in 2008 that these countries will become members of NATO one day
For now NATO is waiting. Its biggest member the United States is having a presidential election. European allies dont expect much to happen with Ukraine until a new president starts in January 2025
Also the United States and Germany are worried about getting pulled into a bigger war with nuclear-armed Russia. They lead a group of countries that dont want Ukraine to join NATO until the conflict ends
NATO diplomats said Ukraines borders would need to be clearly marked before it could join. This is to know exactly where the Article 5 guarantee would apply. Russian troops have taken about 20% of the country