Ukraine's NATO membership 'not realistic in a short timeframe' – Czech president
Czech President Petr Pavel (president.gov.ua)
Czech President Petr Pavel said Ukraine's NATO membership is "not realistic in a short timeframe," urging allies to ramp up economic pressure on Russia, Politico reports.
Despite his strong support for Ukraine, Czech President Petr Pavel acknowledged that Ukraine's accession to NATO is "unrealistic" in the short term due to opposition from the Trump administration.
At the same time, he emphasized that allies should not abandon the idea, as Kyiv's membership would strengthen the Alliance.
Pavel also called for continued strengthening of economic pressure on Russia, noting that sanctions are causing significant difficulties for the enemy.
According to him, the international community must intensify sanctions to weaken the aggressor and bring the war closer to an end.
"We should also create much greater pressure on the economic side because it's clear that the Russia has big difficulties," he said.
Ukraine's NATO membership
NATO continues to emphasize that the door remains open for Ukraine, but membership during wartime is not possible.
Notably, US President Donald Trump has rejected the possibility of Ukraine joining the Alliance.
US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth also called Ukraine's NATO membership an unrealistic option as a potential security guarantee for ending the war.
