Seven countries block Ukraine's invitation to NATO

Four US officials and NATO diplomats, speaking on condition of anonymity to Western media, revealed that Germany and the US are among the largest countries hesitant to respond to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's call for a prompt invitation to join the alliance.

The invitation for Ukraine to NATO is included in Zelenskyy's recently announced victory plan against Russia.

Nevertheless, the Ukrainian president acknowledged that actual membership in the alliance would only be possible after the war concludes. However, Zelenskyy emphasized the crucial importance of receiving an invitation to NATO during the ongoing conflict.

Western media report that key members of the North Atlantic Alliance are concerned about the potential of entering a war with Russia.

Recently, Julianne Smith, outgoing US Ambassador to NATO, underscored Washington's position on this issue, stating that at this moment, the alliance "has not, to date, reached the point where it is prepared to offer membership or an invitation to Ukraine."

Additionally, Zelenskyy previously acknowledged that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz would not support his idea for a swift invitation for Ukraine to join NATO. He noted that much work would be required with the German side, but ultimately, the United States would significantly influence the matter.

In addition to Washington and Berlin, Hungary and Slovakia also oppose Ukraine's NATO membership, but for different reasons. Media outlets explain that their current populist leaders generally adhere to a pro-Kremlin stance.

Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán is blocking European Union funds to provide defense assistance to Ukraine and withdrawing from the NATO program regarding arms transfers to Kyiv as part of support efforts.

Meanwhile, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico stated earlier this month that allowing Ukraine to join NATO "would be a good basis for a third world war."

Several NATO member countries do not wish to expedite Ukraine's NATO membership but do so discreetly.

“Countries like Belgium, Slovenia, or Spain are hiding behind the US and Germany. They are reluctant,” said one of the NATO officials.

The second official told Western media that these countries support it abstractly, but as soon as it gets closer to implementation, they will publicly deny the idea.

This places them at odds with nations like Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland, which show greater enthusiasm for Ukraine's NATO membership and have repeatedly expressed their support.

"However, the officials who spoke to POLITICO sought to underline that neither the US nor Germany are ruling out Ukraine’s eventual accession to the alliance," the publication notes.

Ukraine's accession to NATO and invitation to join the bloc

Regarding Ukraine's NATO membership and invitation to the bloc, it is important to recall that although Kyiv did not receive an invitation at the July NATO summit in Washington, discussions about Ukraine's future within the alliance continue.

Last week, Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans stated that NATO countries need to discuss the conditions under which Ukraine would receive an invitation and join the bloc.

On October 23, Daiga Mierinia, Speaker of the Latvian Parliament, remarked that Riga expects Ukraine to be invited to NATO in 2025.

On October 22, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told journalists that most NATO countries support Ukraine's invitation to join the alliance. However, he added, several countries maintain a cautious position.

It is worth noting that the first point of Zelenskyy's announced victory plan includes an invitation for Ukraine to NATO before the end of the full-scale war with Russia.

Furthermore, in the spring, information emerged that Germany and the US opposed such an initiative. However, recently, Zelenskyy indicated that the US position regarding Ukraine's accession to the bloc has improved.