UK and US quarrel over Ukraine's accession to NATO
US President Joe Biden (Getty Images)
The United Kingdom and the United States are at odds over Ukraine's relations with NATO, following statements from American officials suggesting that Ukraine's path to membership should not be described as "irreversible," according to The Telegraph.
Washington is concerned about plans to offer Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy new guarantees of NATO membership at the summit in Washington, which is scheduled for next month.
Meanwhile, the UK has supported the proposal from some European member states to characterize Ukraine's path to joining the alliance as "irreversible" in a joint statement.
However, the United States believes that the wording should be softened, describing the process as a "well-lit bridge" to membership without specific timelines.
According to The Telegraph, the upcoming NATO summit will not provide any additional assurances regarding the timing of Ukraine's accession, but new security guarantees from alliance members will be offered.
Ukraine's NATO membership
Since the onset of the full-scale war, Ukraine's aspirations for NATO membership have taken on a more concrete shape. Kyiv has submitted an official application for membership in the Alliance, marking a significant step in this direction.
Despite US President Joe Biden not ruling out other options for protecting Ukraine from another Russian invasion, NATO membership remains a historic priority for Kyiv. Ukrainian authorities are confident that, under favorable conditions, membership could be formalized within weeks.
