Trump explains why he does not see Ukraine's membership in NATO
Donald Trump, President of the US (photo: Getty Images)
US President Donald Trump does not see the possibility of Ukraine joining NATO, citing Russia's position. According to him, the Kremlin will not allow the country to become part of the Alliance, according to a press conference at the White House on February 13.
The White House leader stated that he continues to support the position of Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth, who has ruled out Ukraine's NATO membership as part of a diplomatic resolution to the war.
"I don’t see any way that a country in Russia’s position … could allow them to join NATO. I don’t see that happening," Trump remarked.
The president also emphasized that the issue of Ukraine's NATO membership was what triggered Russia's full-scale invasion in 2022.
"Because Biden went out and said they could join NATO. And he shouldn’t have said that. As soon as he said that, I said, ‘You know what? You’re going to have a war now,’” Trump explained.
The White House leader reiterated that the war between Ukraine and Russia would never have happened if he had been president.
Prospects of Ukraine's NATO membership
In July 2024, Ukraine had hoped to receive an official invitation to join NATO at the Washington summit. However, this did not happen.
Brussels has refused to provide Kyiv with a clear membership roadmap, emphasizing that the war with Russia must first come to an end.
On February 12, US President Donald Trump described Ukraine’s NATO membership as unlikely and impractical.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth stated that NATO membership for Ukraine is not a realistic outcome of negotiations.
