US open to address Russia’s NATO concerns in Ukraine talks
US President's special envoy for Ukraine and Russia, Keith Kellogg (Photo: Getty Images)
The US acknowledges Russia’s right to be concerned about potential NATO expansion to the east and is open to discussing the issue as part of broader negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, states Keith Kellogg, the US President’s special envoy for Ukraine and Russia.
He noted that Donald Trump is willing to offer Putin written guarantees not to expand NATO eastward, if that becomes a key condition for ending hostilities and bringing the war in Ukraine to a close.
"I think it's a fair concern and we've said that repeatedly," the special envoy said. "Like we've said that to us, Ukraine coming into NATO is not on the table. And we're not the only country that says that. You know, I can probably give you four of the countries in NATO. And it takes 32 of the 32 to allow you to come into NATO. And we've seen other countries say, 'We're not too sure about that.'"
Kellogg also added that Moscow consistently emphasizes the need for guarantees that Ukraine will not join the Alliance, often mentioning Georgia and Moldova in the same context.
"And we're saying okay comprehensively you know we can stop the expansion of NATO coming close to your border. That's security concerns from them," the general added.
Prospects for Ukraine’s NATO membership
NATO leaders regularly promise Ukraine’s future membership in the alliance but stop short of setting clear timelines for accession.
In a joint communiqué from the NATO summit in Washington in July 2024, Ukraine’s membership was declared irreversible.
However, after taking office, US President Donald Trump repeatedly expressed doubts about the likelihood of Ukraine actually joining the bloc.
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth called Ukraine’s NATO membership unrealistic.
Czech President Petr Pavel also acknowledged that Ukraine’s accession is unlikely soon, citing the Trump administration’s stance.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirmed that Ukraine’s membership is irreversible but emphasized that it won’t be part of any deal to end the full-scale war.
