On Thursday, NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg confirmed that all NATO allies agree that Russia cannot obstruct Ukraine’s future membership in the military alliance.
Speaking to reporters ahead of an informal meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Oslo, Norway, Stoltenberg stated that there is a consensus among allies that “NATO’s door is open for new members.”
He emphasized that “all allies also agree that Ukraine will become a member of the alliance,” and that it is up to NATO members and Ukraine to determine the timing of Ukraine’s accession.
“It is not for Moscow to have a veto against NATO enlargement,” Stoltenberg asserted.
“But most importantly, all allies agree that the most urgent and important task now is to ensure that Ukraine prevails as a sovereign, independent nation. President [Vladimir] Putin and Russia must not win this war.”
Stoltenberg also called for measures to ensure Ukraine’s security beyond the conclusion of the Russia-Ukraine war. He stressed the need to prevent a recurrence of the “pattern of Russian aggression against Ukraine.”
The meeting in Oslo will discuss long-term support for Ukraine, with Stoltenberg anticipating that a multiyear plan to align Ukraine with NATO standards and protocols will be established at the formal summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, in July.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed appreciation for Stoltenberg’s support and reiterated Ukraine’s desire for a formal NATO invitation
“What is very important is our future in the EU and Ukraine is ready to be in NATO; we are waiting for NATO to be ready to host and see Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in remarks outside the European Political Community Summit in Moldova.
He also highlighted the significance of security guarantees not only for Ukraine but for neighboring countries like Moldova, given the ongoing Russian aggression and potential threats to other parts of Europe.
Regarding the potential end of the war, Zelenskyy stated that the conflict will only cease if Ukraine achieves victory. He added that “Russia can stop this war earlier; they can withdraw from our territory to their own.”
NATO members continue to provide substantial military support to Ukraine, including ammunition and training. On Wednesday, the Pentagon announced a new weapons package worth $300 million, which includes artillery, anti-armor defenses, and ammunition.
The White House noted that Putin has shown “zero inclination” to end the war as the conflict approaches its 500th day. Kyiv has recently experienced aerial bombardments, and drone strikes have hit Moscow.
National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said during a White House press briefing on Wednesday, “This week, as you have all seen, Russia has continued to wage a brutal, completely unprovoked war against Ukraine.”
In early April, Finland officially joined NATO as the 31st member, following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The decision to join NATO was driven by Finland’s concern for its safety due to its 832-mile border with Russia.
Sweden, which applied for NATO membership alongside Finland, has faced delays due to objections from two NATO members—Turkey and Hungary.
Stoltenberg announced that he will soon visit Ankara to seek Turkey’s approval for Sweden’s accession. Finnish Foreign Minister Pekka Haavisto expressed hope that the ratification process “could and should” be completed before the NATO summit in Vilnius next month.
