Germany and the United States are not alone in blocking Ukraine’s potential invitation to join NATO, according to an October 23 report from Politico.
Several other countries, including Hungary, Slovakia, Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain, are also resisting the move.
While Zelenskyy has acknowledged that full NATO membership can only be achieved once the war with Russia ends, he maintains that receiving an invitation during the conflict is “fundamental.”
Despite Ukraine’s appeal, officials in both Berlin and Washington remain cautious.
Outgoing U.S. Ambassador to NATO, Julianne Smith, stated that the alliance has not yet reached a point where it is prepared to offer Ukraine either membership or an invitation. This hesitation, shared by a number of NATO members, largely stems from fears of being drawn into a direct conflict with Russia.
“I have a very good relationship with Scholz, and I’m grateful for Germany’s help,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Germany is the second-largest provider of military aid to Ukraine after the U.S. “But the fact that the German side is skeptical about our joining NATO is a fact.”
It’s not just Germany and the U.S. expressing reservations.
Hungary and Slovakia have also voiced their opposition, but for different reasons. Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who has been openly supportive of the Kremlin, has blocked EU military aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, Slovakia’s populist leader, Robert Fico, argued that Ukraine’s NATO membership could lead to World War III.
Additionally, NATO members like Belgium, Slovenia, and Spain are taking a more cautious approach, preferring to quietly support this stance rather than openly opposing Ukraine’s request.
On the other hand, countries such as Poland and the Baltic states are far more enthusiastic about welcoming Ukraine into NATO, creating a divide within the alliance.
During U.S. President Joe Biden’s recent visit to Berlin, Scholz reiterated the need to ensure NATO avoids direct involvement in the war to prevent further escalation.
Nevertheless, neither the U.S. nor Germany has ruled out the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO in the future. The Biden administration has indicated that any decision on Ukraine’s NATO membership would take place after the war, contingent on necessary reforms, such as addressing corruption.
Previously, President Zelenskyy said Ukraine has no interest in reclaiming its status as a nuclear power but, in return, should receive a “security umbrella.”
