Rutte explains why Ukraine has not yet received invitation to join NATO
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte (Getty Images)
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte responded to questions about Ukraine's potential invitation to join the North Atlantic Alliance, emphasizing the irreversibility of this process. However, he stressed that the path to membership will take time.
"As I said before, Ukraine will be a member of NATO and I will applaud that day," Rutte said.
He explained that Ukrainians must understand that their future is linked to the Alliance. However, many discussions with allies lie ahead before Ukraine becomes a full-fledged member of NATO.
Rutte added that Ukraine's integration into NATO requires a long-term process, particularly regarding interoperability with Alliance standards.
He said that there are bilateral security agreements with the allies. Therefore, Ukraine has already embarked on this path to NATO membership.
Additionally, the NATO Secretary General reminded of the significant financial and military assistance provided to Ukraine.
He said that NATO promised Ukraine 40 billion euros in aid, there's training going on, and all of this is part of collective assistance.
He also emphasized the importance of this issue in international politics, highlighting the need for a clear roadmap for Ukraine.
Victory plan and NATO membership
On October 17, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy shared details of his talks with US presidential candidate Donald Trump. During the conversation, Zelenskyy said that Ukraine faces a choice: either to restore its nuclear potential or to obtain NATO membership.
As the Ukrainian leader explained, Kyiv has chosen the path of joining the North Atlantic Alliance, seeing it as the main security guarantee for the country.
At the same time, Bild, citing an anonymous source, reported that Ukraine may consider the possibility of restoring its nuclear arsenal if Russia resorts to aggressive actions again after the war ends.
For more on the potential for Ukraine to develop nuclear weapons and the reasons behind such statements, read RBC-Ukraine's report.
