NATO’s ‘Absurd’ Plans for Ukraine Fall Short: Zelensky

Tue Jul 11 2023
icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp

VILNIUS: Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday critisized the absence of a timetable for his country’s membership in NATO by declaring it ‘absurd’.

His anger injected harsh criticism into a meeting of the block’s leaders that was suggested to express solidarity for Kyiv in the face in time of its war against Russia.

The censure from Zelensky could renew tensions at the summit shortly after it witnessed goodwill when Turkiye agreed to support Sweden’s bid to join the alliance. Allies hope to resolve the seesawing discussions and set a clear path forward for the NATO and its support for Ukraine.

Officials have presented a proposal, which has not been released to the public, on the potential membership of Ukraine, according to AP.

US President Joe Biden voiced support during a meeting with NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg, but Zelensky took to Twitter, saying that he was not satisfied.

He said that Ukraine valued its allies but it also deserved respect.

Zelensky said that it is unprecedented and absurd when timetable is not set neither for the invitation nor for the membership of Ukraine.

The Ukrainian leader added that uncertainty is weakness and he would openly discuss this at the gathering.

Zelensky likely to meet NATO leaders on Wednesday

Zelensky is likely to meet with Joe Biden and other NATO leaders on Wednesday.

There have been sharp divisions within the Western military alliance over Kyiv’s desire to join the bloc, which was pledged back in 2008 even though few measures were taken toward that goal.

On Monday, Stoltenberg wrote in Foreign Affairs that the bloc would upgrade political relations by establishing a NATO-Ukraine Council, which would be a platform for crisis consultation and decisions.

Moreover, he said on Tuesday that the alliance would forgo needing membership action plan for Kyiv, eradicating another hurdle.

But that did not seem to satisfy Zelensky. In addition, the Baltic countries have expressed a strong show of support and a clear pathway toward Ukraine’s NATO membership.

However, the US and Germany were urging caution. Biden stated last week that Ukraine was not ready to enter the bloc. The NATO members need to meet all the qconditions, from democratization to a whole range of other matters.

While, some leaders fear that allowing Ukraine into the NATO would result more in a provocation to Moscow than as a deterrence against aggression.

icon-facebook icon-twitter icon-whatsapp