Stoltenberg: Ukraine's NATO membership inevitable
Photo: NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (Getty Images)
Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. The country's accession to the Alliance is no longer a question of "if," but a question of time, according to NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.
"Putin started this war because he wanted to close NATO’s door and deny Ukraine the right to choose its own path, but he has achieved the exact opposite. Ukraine is now closer to NATO than ever before. Ukraine would join NATO and it is not a question of "if" but of when,'" said Stoltenberg.
The Secretary General added that the Alliance will continue to support Ukraine for "your security and for ours."
Ukraine's path to NATO
It is worth noting that on September 30, 2022, it became known that Ukraine applied for NATO membership under an accelerated procedure. Ukraine expected to receive an invitation to join NATO at the summer summit in Vilnius, but this did not happen.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg emphasizes that Ukraine will not be able to join the Alliance until active combat operations cease.
Ukraine received recommendations from NATO regarding its accession. This came after the Ukraine-NATO Council meeting held in Brussels on November 29. The recommendations concern initial reforms for joining the Alliance.
