President Biden and NATO allies will offer support for Ukraine at the upcoming NATO summit in Lithuania. However, membership in NATO will not be extended to Ukraine. The reason for this is that NATO membership requires unanimous approval from all 30 member countries.
Some countries, such as Turkey, have reservations about admitting Ukraine. However, despite not receiving membership, Ukraine can expect substantial military and financial aid from NATO allies at the summit. This aid is intended to support Ukraine in its resistance against Russia’s invasion and help rebuild its military post-war.
Biden believes that Ukraine will eventually become a NATO member, but he deems it inappropriate to offer membership while the country is engaged in a war. He emphasizes that Ukraine must meet specific criteria, such as having a functioning democracy and a market economy, before it can be admitted to NATO.
The decision not to offer Ukraine membership poses a delicate situation for NATO. On one hand, NATO does not wish to alienate Ukraine, a crucial partner in countering Russia. On the other hand, NATO wants to avoid provoking Russia by admitting a country it perceives as a potential threat.
The NATO summit in Lithuania is anticipated to demonstrate significant support for Ukraine. It will provide an opportunity for NATO allies to reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity while pledging ongoing military and financial aid. Additionally, the summit will enable NATO to discuss strategies for deterring further Russian aggression against Ukraine.
