Why Ukraine's NATO invite is still on hold: Official explains
Photo: NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerry Connolly (flickr.com/afge)
Ukraine is on an "irreversible path" toward joining the Alliance. However, the ongoing war on its territory remains the main obstacle, states NATO Parliamentary Assembly President Gerry Connolly.
"I believe we need to resolve this. We must restore Ukraine's sovereignty over its territories and then ensure a clear path to NATO," emphasized Connolly.
He also noted that both NATO and the US government support Ukraine's aspirations for membership.
"NATO has made it very clear, as has the government of my country, the US — we welcome the idea of Ukraine joining NATO. It is what we call an "irreversible path" to membership," he said.
Connolly acknowledged that Ukrainians are feeling some impatience about joining NATO, but the battlefield situation remains complicated.
"Of course, we are facing a complex and tragic situation in Ukraine. This is due to the presence of Russian troops and the ongoing Russian occupation. This needs to be resolved," he added.
The NATO Parliamentary Assembly president stressed that Ukraine's NATO membership should cover the entire territory, including the occupied regions.
"We don’t know what the outcome of this fight will be, but we know the outcome we are hoping for. That is why NATO and the US government have committed significant resources and established a partnership with our brothers and sisters in Ukraine to help them stand firm and restore full sovereignty over their entire territory," said Connolly.
When asked about the possibility of inviting Ukraine to NATO before the end of Joe Biden’s presidency, Connolly explained that the process requires consultation with other Alliance members.
"President Biden has been sympathetic — and continues to be — toward Ukraine's aspirations, including NATO membership. He would be positively inclined toward it. But taking specific actions without consulting other NATO allies would be impossible. Once again, he remains focused on priorities," Connolly stressed.
The top priority, he said, is ending the violence being inflicted by Russian forces on Ukrainian territory.
Connolly also commented on US-German relations regarding Ukraine’s NATO membership.
"Germany is a good ally. You know, skepticism comes and goes. I can tell you, based on my conversations with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, that he firmly supports NATO’s goals, and Germany’s objectives align closely with US aims concerning Ukraine," he said.
Ukraine’s NATO membership
Joining NATO is a key objective of Ukraine’s foreign policy, becoming even more urgent after Russia’s full-scale invasion.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized that an invitation to join NATO and future membership are concrete steps toward achieving peace.
