NATO needs to agree on conditions for Ukraine's invitation - Dutch Defense Minister
Photo: Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans (Getty Images)
NATO countries need to discuss the conditions under which Ukraine will receive an invitation to join the Alliance. Clarity on this issue must be established from the outset, according to Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans.
According to him, in response to Ukraine's victory plan — which includes an immediate invitation to NATO — alliances must agree on clear criteria for Ukraine to receive an invitation to achieve the necessary consensus. Additionally, other criteria must be established for the country to eventually become a full-fledged member of the Alliance.
"If you don't have that clarity upfront, I don't see (that) 32 allies agree to grant an invitation," the minister said.
When asked what conditions Ukraine needs to meet, Brekelmans mentioned the fight against corruption.
"If you want to modernize the Ukrainian Armed Forces and have involvement of other countries, then I can imagine that you also want to assess the progress that Ukrainians make on that dimension," he added.
Brekelmans emphasized that there are currently very different opinions within the Alliance regarding Ukraine's invitation and accession to NATO.
Reuters reminded that this week, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy publicly presented Ukraine's five-point victory plan for the first time, which includes a call for an immediate invitation to NATO. In turn, the Alliance stated that Ukraine would one day become a member of the bloc but also noted that Kyiv could not join while at war. This is because such a move could lead to a conflict between NATO and Russia.
"Alliance leaders have so far avoided a direct response to Zelenskyy's new push for an invitation," Reuters reported.
On Thursday, October 17, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that Ukraine will ultimately join NATO and will likely be the 33rd or 34th country to enter the Alliance. On the same day, a post was published on Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Facebook page, stating that Ukraine deserves to be the next member of NATO.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that the White House stated yesterday that there is no consensus in NATO regarding an invitation for Ukraine to join the Alliance. Discussions are ongoing.
